Nigerian Army, LASTMA Reconcile After Dispute, Violent Attacks, Vow To Work Together
The operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and soldiers of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday resolved the dispute between the agency and the Force in Lagos.
This is contained in a press statement released by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department at LASTMA.
The statement said the agency had reached a partnership agreement with the army to enhance traffic management in Lagos.
The statement reads: “Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and officials of the Nigerian Army today agreed to strengthen partnership on traffic management in Lagos.
“The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba disclosed this during a working visit by Officials of the 9 Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army led by Brigadier General Adegoke Moses Adetuyi.
“Mr. Oreagba while receiving the Military personnel, disclosed that it was a great honour receiving the Officials of the Command at Lastma Headquarters at Oshodi.”
The new partnership formed by LASTMA and the army followed a dispute between LASTMA agents and soldiers in Lagos, leading to violence in the state.
SaharaReporters reported on Monday that a viral video on social media showed how three Nigerian military personnel brutalised an official of LASTMA.
WATCH: Nigerian Soldiers Brutally Assault LASTMA Official In Ojota, Lagos @followlastma pic.twitter.com/5tKYm57gxz
While the reason for the attack on the Lagos state government traffic officer was unknown, an account claimed it was a reprisal for an attack by LASTMA officials on a soldier the previous week in the same area.
The soldiers reportedly launched a retaliatory attack on the LASTMA officer, which commuters and bystanders couldn’t help but record.
Before fleeing, the soldiers beat the officer to a pulp with punches and wood.
Reacting to the incident, the LASTMA statement claimed that “there is no love lost between the two sister agencies and that LASTMA personnel would continue to rely on continuous support from the Nigerian Army and other security agencies across the state”.
The traffic management agency General Manager, Mr Oreagba said that his men “won’t abuse the relationship nor take the cordiality and warm friendliness which has existed between the Army and LASTMA for granted”.
“He maintained that such an occurrence would not repeat itself as existing channels of communication would be maintained and additional new hotlines be explored by the two agencies to always resolve issues.
“Earlier in his address, the Commander of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Adegoke Moses Adetuyi said that bad elements prosper when there is division among security agencies, so there is the need for more cordial collaboration and maximum cooperation between all government agencies including LASTMA.
“While commending LASTMA officials for the wonderful work they are doing morning and night, Brigadier Adetuyi promised that the Nigerian Army particularly the 9 Brigade Command, would continue to render support where necessary to activities of LASTMA on our roads and ensure the safety of traffic managers in the discharge of their statutory duties.”
Other Army officials in attendance during the visit include Major A.A. Nasir (OC MP), Major A. Sanusi, Major A.A. Onwemene, Major A.K. Ballo and Lt. T.H. Owoyemi.
Also, the LASTMA officials present include the Director of Operations, Mr. Peter Gbejemede, Provost Marshal Mr. Apena Biliaminu, Head, Headquarters Operations (Rover) Mr. Adeoye James, Head of LASTMA Training, Mr. Macaulay Modupe-Ore, Head of Police Unit of LASTMA, CSP Ajibola Abayomi and Adebayo Taofiq, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA.
