In a landmark ruling that has sent strong signals across Lagos State, multiple commercial drivers have been sentenced to jail terms for their involvement in a violent assault on Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials who were carrying out their lawful duties in the metropolis.
The judgment, delivered yesterday at the Lagos State Magistrate Court, follows a disturbing incident that occurred last week along the busy Ikorodu Road corridor, where the convicted drivers and their accomplices reportedly descended on uniformed LASTMA officers who had attempted to enforce traffic regulations in the area.
According to court documents, the altercation began when LASTMA officials apprehended several commercial vehicles for flagrant violations of traffic laws, including driving against traffic and illegal parking at undesignated bus stops. What should have been a routine enforcement operation quickly escalated when the drivers mobilized colleagues and area boys into a violent mob that physically assaulted the officers.
“The court has sent a clear message that attacks on public officials performing their statutory duties will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” said a representative from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice who spoke on condition of anonymity. “These officers were simply doing their jobs to ensure sanity on our roads when they were brutally attacked.”
Eyewitness accounts revealed that the LASTMA officials suffered various degrees of injuries during the assault, with two officers requiring hospitalization. One officer, who preferred not to be named, recounted the harrowing experience: “They came at us with sticks and bottles. We were completely outnumbered and feared for our lives.”
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation praised the judicial outcome, stating that it reinforces the administration’s zero-tolerance stance on assault against public officials. “This judgment validates our commitment to protecting those who maintain order on our roads. LASTMA officials deserve respect and cooperation, not violence,” he emphasized.
In his ruling, the presiding magistrate condemned the actions of the defendants as “barbaric and unacceptable in a civilized society,” noting that such behavior undermines public order and creates chaos in an already congested city.
The convicted drivers, who pleaded guilty to charges including assault on public servants, unlawful assembly, and breach of public peace, received sentences ranging from six months to two years imprisonment without the option of fine.
Transportation experts have welcomed the verdict, suggesting it could serve as a deterrent to the growing trend of hostility towards traffic officials in Lagos. Dr. Adeola Benson, a transport analyst with the Lagos Urban Mobility Project, observed that “this judgment reinforces the rule of law and should help restore respect for traffic management personnel who face daily risks while keeping our roads safe.”
The Lagos State Government has recently intensified efforts to restore order to the roads, with LASTMA playing a central role in managing the notorious Lagos traffic. Officials have reported increasing incidents of assault and intimidation in recent months, making this verdict particularly significant.
Community leaders have also voiced support for the judgment, with the Chairman of the Ikorodu Community Development Association calling on commercial drivers to “respect the law and those appointed to enforce it” while urging LASTMA to ensure their officers maintain professionalism during enforcement operations.
As Lagos continues its journey towards becoming a modern megacity, the administration maintains that adherence to traffic regulations is non-negotiable, and this landmark judgment serves as a reminder that the law is no respecter of persons.
