EXCLUSIVE: Lagos State Government Raise Alarm as Unknown Traffic Controllers Invade Roads

The Lagos State Ministry of Transport, yesterday raised an alarm after some yet-to-be identified persons took over regulation of traffic at the Old Toll Gate, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Confirming the incident, the Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Mr. Shina Thorpe, said the illegal traffic managers who are unknown to the state government invaded the roadways with a view to causing public disturbances as their activities.

He said when the officials of the Lagos State Management

Transport Agency (LASTMA), who are officially assigned to regulate traffic in the state, got to the area, the unknown traffic controllers became aggressive and almost engaged them in a fisticuffs.

He said to ensue peace, LASTMA personnel were asked to withdraw for the meantime before the police were called in yo take charge of the already volatile situation.

Also, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Lateef Ibirogba, in a statement said, "Police in Lagos have intercepted a strange group of usurpers posing as traffic officials on Lagos roads.

"Dressed in grey and black uniforms, the group, numbering about 35 invaded Lagos roads like Ojota, Toll gate and Ikorodu Road at about 7 a.m., causing confusion on the roads in their attempt to take over the job of LASTMA.

"The unknown people, whose intention could not be easily ascertained, were seen positioned in strategic locations where they engaged LASTMA officials who challenged them in arguments, claiming that they were sent to take over federal roads.

"They took Lagosians by surprise and instilled fear in a lot of people who were going to their offices early, as many could not explain their mission in the areas noted for being peaceful and hitch-free."

He added, "It took the intervention of the police from the Lagos Command, to get them off the road and return normalcy on the roads after about four hours of causing confusion, attempting to fight LASTMA and generally disturbing the peace of the areas.

"Lagos State Government hereby appeals to the public to remain calm and go about their normal duties, no matter any form of provocation and or intimidation this faceless group or any other trouble makers may want to plunge them into.

“Let us be more security conscious and report cases of strange movement in our area to the police.  Let us also make use of the emergency numbers – 767 or 121 to abate or avert trouble”.