The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has impounded more than 7,000 vehicles and sanctioned 18 of its officers for misconduct during the first half of 2025.
This was disclosed by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos. He stated that the vehicles were arrested for various traffic offences through physical enforcement operations conducted across the state.
In addition to manual enforcement, Bakare-Oki revealed that over 54,000 traffic violations were captured using the agency’s Traffic Management Solutions, a digital tool introduced under his leadership.
“The integration of technology into our operations has significantly improved enforcement. It was one of the innovations I introduced when I assumed office, and the results have been remarkable,” he said.
He added that more than 1,000 vehicles were cleared off the roads, and the agency recorded over 700 traffic accidents within the period under review.
To boost efficiency and professionalism, Bakare-Oki noted that the agency has made training and re-orientation of officers a top priority.
“We have a comprehensive training schedule that runs throughout the year—January to December. Every week, we withdraw officers from the field and engage them in training sessions. We bring in experienced personnel from within LASTMA and other parts of the state public service,” he said.
According to him, the officers are being trained on key areas such as emotional intelligence, enforcement without aggression, mental health awareness, and advanced traffic management strategies.
Speaking on the disciplinary measures taken against erring officers, the LASTMA boss emphasized that due process was followed in line with the Lagos State Public Service Rules.
“The affected officers violated the agency’s operational guidelines. Sanctions were appropriately applied and ranged from dismissal and demotion to written warnings,” he disclosed.
In a bid to improve public awareness and compliance with traffic regulations, the agency has also launched several public engagement initiatives.
“We now hold monthly traffic enlightenment campaigns and have introduced new units like the Female Elite Corps and the LASTMA Mayor to foster better communication with the public,” Bakare-Oki said.
He reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to professionalism and public service, assuring Lagos residents of improved traffic flow and safety on the roads.