The Lagos State Government on Thursday stated that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode did not, at any time, direct the stoppage of arrests of contravened vehicles and motorists by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Habib Aruna, the State Government said it has received reports of some criminally-minded people attacking officials of LASTMA on their legitimate duties on the pretext that the Governor had directed at his meeting with LASTMA officials on Wednesday to desist from arresting offending motorists.
It said in areas like Badagry on Thursday, some officials of the agency were attacked and maimed by some motorists on the premise that Ambode has directed that no vehicle or motorists should be arrested by LASTMA anymore.
The statement added that when the governor met the LASTMA officials alongside operatives of KAI and VIS on Wednesday, he had said: “Don’t victimize Lagosians, there are more civil ways to control and arrest offenders. From now on, no harassment; you are enforcement officers and not harassment officers, arrest people in a civil manner”.
The governor also urged LASTMA officials to embrace the use of technology in effecting arrest of contravened vehicles instead of physical arrest of motorists and vehicles at the scene of incidents
The statement further said that the views of the governor at the event were widely reflected in the media reportage of the event on Thursday.
The State Government warned that the full force of the law would be brought to bear on all erring members of the public who attempt any illegality in terms of obstructing operatives of LASTMA from carrying out their legitimate and lawful duties.
