The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Olajide Oduyoye, has condemned the unwarranted murder of an officer of the agency, Obasu Segun Godwin and the assault on another officer, Adeniyi Hakeem, by the operator of a commercial bus which occurred in the Anthony area of the state on Tuesday.
It was gathered that Obasu and Adeniyi were attacked with machetes and other dangerous weapons by the driver of a commercial bus, plying Bariga to Oshodi via the Ikorodu Road axis in cohort with some other drivers, after his vehicle was apprehended for contravening the traffic laws.
Oduyoye said: “Obasu was struck severally with machetes resulting in deep lacerations on the head and his eventual death, while Adeniyi Hakeem, who was also attacked in a similar fashion has been hospitalised and, in a coma.”
Oduyoye noted that seven of the culprits have been caught and handed over to the police while the driver of the bus and others are still at large, assuring that the police would conduct a proper investigation, just as the full wrath of the law would be brought to bear on all those found guilty of taking laws into their hands.
LASTMA Director of Operations, Bolaji Oreagba said it was a very sad event that could have been averted, stressing that the unfortunate incident would not deter the agency from carrying out its functions and duties as laid down by the law of the state.
While commiserating with the family of the deceased officer, Oreagba lamented that LASTMA and other law enforcement agencies have lost too many officers to motorists. He assured that Hakeem, who is still in a coma at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, is being well taken care of.
