Vehicle authorities have reacted to a viral video showing a commercial bus driver, attempting to avoid arrest for a traffic violation, and setting himself and Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) officers ablaze in the Mile 2 area.
The incident of Tuesday, November 5, 2024, occurred in the Cele inward Mile-2 area where the driver had been pulled over for violating traffic regulations.
In the video circulating on social media, a yellow-coloured 14-passenger city bus was parked almost in the middle of the road with at least eight traffic officers clustered in front of it while involved in an argument with the driver.
In a twinkle of an eye, fire erupted and caught the traffic managers unaware. Not all of them were lucky to escape unhurt.
Adebayo Taofiq, the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department at LASTMA, confirmed the incident in a statement.
The statement reads: “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been made aware of a distressing video showing the driver of a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus, license plate LSD 355 CK, setting both his vehicle and LASTMA officers ablaze in a brazen attempt to evade arrest.
“This shocking event transpired today, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, when the driver resisted arrest with extreme aggression by LASTMA officials. The vehicle had been intercepted for violating traffic regulations in the Cele inward Mile 2 area.
“In the course of arrest, the driver and his conductor erupted into a frenzy, resorting to pouring petrol on LASTMA personnel and engaging in hostile confrontations and physical attacks against officers present.”
LASTMA added that the injured officer was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
