LASTMA reacts to viral video of patrol van driving against traffic

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) while responding to a viral video of its patrol van driving against the flow of traffic in the state’s Oworonsoki area said that the footage was taken two years ago.

This brave guy should have recorded the face of that ruthless LASTMA driver.

— Blessing Ọláoyè For Peter Obi (@Blezybest) September 16, 2022

The Herald reports that the video was released hours after the Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Justice and the State Taskforce, auctioned off over 130 vehicles confiscated for traffic violations such as ‘one-way’ driving.

However, LASTMA General Manager Bolaji Oreagba stated on Saturday that the “operational vehicle (RTM 08 LA Zone 25 Bariga)” captured in the video posted on Twitter is not recent.

LASTMA’s General Manage via a statement said, “The Agency hereby states categorically that the video incident video occurred in the year 2020 before the #ENDSARS protest around Iyana-Oworo.

“All Officers involved have been appropriately sanctioned by the Authority.

“The patrol van with registration No. RTM 08 LA (Zone 25 Bariga) seen in the viral video was among LASTMA operational vehicles burnt alongside our office building by #EndSARS protesters at Iyana-Oworo, Lagos.

“The Agency, therefore, urges members of the public to disregard the video that was deployed to embarrass our team of hardworking officers.

“LASTMA will continue effective monitoring and control of traffic across the State, just as it will not condone indiscipline among any of its personnel.”

In response to the viral video, the Lagos State Police Command spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said, “I just got confirmation that the entire team has been identified and summoned to @followlastma headquarters.”