A shocking incident occurred in the Cele area of Lagos on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, when an official from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) was set on fire by a commercial bus driver and his assistant, known as a conductor. The attack unfolded as LASTMA officers attempted to enforce traffic regulations on a Volkswagen T4 bus with the license plate LSD 355 CK.
According to LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, the driver and conductor aggressively resisted arrest for alleged traffic violations. Reports indicate that during the confrontation, the attackers poured petrol on the LASTMA officer and ignited it, inflicting severe burns.
The violent altercation was captured in a disturbing video that has circulated on social media, showing the driver in a frantic attempt to evade apprehension. Taofiq stated, "The altercation occurred after LASTMA officials intercepted the vehicle for violating traffic regulations near Cele, heading toward Mile 2. In the course of the arrest, the driver and his conductor resorted to pouring petrol on LASTMA personnel and engaging in hostile confrontations."
Following the incident, the injured officer was rushed to a local hospital for urgent medical attention due to the severity of his burns.
In response to the attack, LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining safety and order on Lagos roads, as mandated by the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018. Taofiq emphasized the agency's call for all drivers to adhere to traffic regulations and respect LASTMA personnel, warning that any form of violence or intimidation will be met with firm repercussions against the perpetrators.
