The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded 84 commercial and private vehicles for various traffic offences during an enforcement operation across major traffic flashpoints in the state.

The enforcement exercise was carried out at Idumota, Iddo, Ijora-Olopa, Costain and Onipanu as part of efforts to restore order and ensure compliance with Lagos State traffic regulations.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki said the operation was targeted at persistent traffic violations by motorists and commercial bus operators, particularly on routes where such infractions have continued to affect the free flow of traffic and endanger road users.

He expressed particular concern over the practice of commercial buses reversing against traffic along the one-way stretch from Iddo towards Idumota through Carter Bridge.

According to him, the manoeuvre is dangerous because it can catch motorists, commuters and pedestrians unaware and potentially lead to serious road crashes, injuries and fatalities.

“The enforcement exercise was principally aimed at restoring sanity, orderliness and strict compliance with extant traffic regulations.

“This is particularly along corridors where persistent violations by recalcitrant motorists and commercial bus operators have continued to pose a formidable threat to road safety and the unhindered movement of traffic,” Bakare-Oki said.

The LASTMA general manager, however, disclosed that enforcement officers encountered resistance from some individuals during the operation.

He said some LASTMA personnel were physically assaulted and injured while carrying out their statutory responsibilities.

Bakare-Oki added that some of the individuals described as miscreants and hoodlums who allegedly attacked LASTMA officials and damaged operational vehicles were apprehended.

He said the agency would continue to enforce traffic regulations despite resistance from individuals involved in activities that disrupt traffic management.

Bakare-Oki also reiterated LASTMA’s warnings against the occupation of under-bridge spaces, road setbacks and other unauthorised locations for use as illegal garages.

He explained that such practices obstruct effective traffic management and create additional risks for motorists, commuters, pedestrians and other road users.

According to him, the sustained enforcement campaign is designed not only to secure compliance with existing traffic regulations but also to discourage dangerous driving practices and protect lives and property across Lagos.

The LASTMA boss therefore urged commercial bus operators, motorists, transport unions and other stakeholders to desist from driving against traffic, dangerous reversing, illegal parking and indiscriminate loading.

He also warned road users against converting under-bridge spaces, road setbacks and other unauthorised areas into garages or loading points.

Bakare-Oki said motorists and transport operators who continued to violate traffic regulations would face appropriate enforcement measures in accordance with existing Lagos State traffic laws.

The agency’s latest operation comes amid continued efforts to tackle traffic violations and improve road safety across major Lagos corridors.

LASTMA urged all road users to cooperate with its officials and comply with traffic regulations to reduce avoidable incidents and ensure smoother movement across the state.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has charged 135 newly commissioned Nigerian Navy officers to remain physically fit, professionally competent and operationally ready as they begin their careers in the Armed Forces.

Abbas gave the charge on Saturday during the Combined Passing Out Parade, Pipping and Commissioning Ceremony held at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Afaka, Kaduna State.

The ceremony was attended by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, alongside other senior government officials, military officers, families and invited guests.

While congratulating the newly commissioned officers, the Chief of the Naval Staff urged them to uphold the highest standards of discipline, loyalty and professional integrity in the discharge of their duties.

He reminded the officers that their oath of allegiance must remain the guiding principle of their conduct and service to the nation.

According to him, their commissioning should not be regarded as the end of their training, but as the beginning of a demanding career characterised by leadership, responsibility and loyal service to Nigeria.

Abbas urged the officers to avoid misconduct and other vices capable of damaging their integrity, undermining public confidence or prematurely ending their military careers.

He also stressed the importance of physical fitness, professional competence and operational preparedness, particularly as the Nigerian Navy continues to perform responsibilities across the country’s maritime domain and participate in joint military operations.

The Naval Chief said the Navy was operating in an increasingly complex security environment, requiring officers to remain adaptable and prepared to respond effectively to emerging threats.

“As the Navy confronts increasingly complex security challenges, you must be ready at all times to lead, adapt and serve with courage, honour and unwavering commitment to duty,” Abbas told the officers.

He further urged the newly commissioned personnel to preserve the traditions and values of the Nigerian Navy while maintaining discipline, professionalism and dedication throughout their careers.

The commissioning ceremony formed part of the combined passing out activities involving cadets of the 73 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, as well as personnel of the Short Service Course 49 of the Nigerian Army, Direct Short Service Course 34 and Branch Commission Course 3 of the Nigerian Air Force.

The newly commissioned officers are expected to assume their respective responsibilities across the Armed Forces as they begin their professional careers in the service of the nation.

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, popularly known as the Lagos State Task Force, has denied stopping the driver of a Toyota Tacoma over an inscription on the vehicle or demanding a permit for the marking.

The agency’s denial followed a video shared on Facebook by Jay Scotch Automobile Ltd, in which the motorist recounted an encounter with officials who allegedly stopped him and demanded a permit for the “TRD 4×4 Sport Tacoma” inscription displayed on his vehicle.

In the video, the driver said the officials claimed that the inscription amounted to an advertisement and consequently demanded that he produce a permit.

He said, “So, I was driving this Toyota Tacoma with this TRD inscription, TRD 4×4 Sport Tacoma and Lagos Task Force had to stop me and say I should provide, you know, if there is an inscription in your car, you have to provide a permit.”

The motorist further alleged that the officials threatened to damage his vehicle’s side mirror if he failed to produce the permit.

He said, “They were like, I should provide a permit for this one. I used mouth finish them and they were threatening to spoil my side mirror if I don’t provide permit to be using this one.”

Explaining the origin of the inscription, the driver said it was not added to the vehicle for advertising purposes but came with the Toyota Tacoma when he purchased it from the United States.

He said, “Something that came in like this from the abroad or from USA where it was bought from.”

Questioning the demand by the officials, he added, “So, I don’t know.

Why are you asking me for a permit because of this TRD written on this Tacoma?”
However, the Director of Press and Public Affairs of the Lagos State Task Force, Raheem Gbadeyanka, said the agency was not responsible for the incident.

Gbadeyanka said residents often mistake officials from different government agencies for Task Force operatives, particularly when they encounter officers wearing camouflage uniforms.

He explained that the presence of a camouflage-clad officer on the road does not necessarily mean the individual is a member of the Lagos State Task Force.

“Unless you understand the ignorance of some people, if care is not taken, an individual too will be ignorant of their ignorance.

Many of them don’t really understand or know the difference between one agency of government or the other;

once they are accosted by any policeman dressed in camouflage uniform on the street, they ignorantly believe they are Task Force operatives,” Gbadeyanka said.

He also disclosed that the Task Force no longer enforces traffic-related offences following a directive from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

According to him, the agency stopped arresting traffic offenders after the directive was issued.

“Ever since the Commissioner of Police of Lagos discretionally stopped us from engaging in any traffic-related offences, the agency operatives had stopped effecting the arrest of traffic offenders,” he said.

Gbadeyanka also stated that requesting permits for inscriptions on vehicles was outside the mandate of the Task Force.

“It is also not part of our mandates to request for permits for inscriptions on vehicles,” he said.

He added that operatives of the agency could not stop vehicles for traffic offences under the leadership of the Task Force Chairman, CSP Adebayo Akerele.

“The agency operatives dare not stop any vehicle for traffic offences under the watchful eyes of disciplinarian CSP Adebayo Akerele, chairman, Lagos State Task Force,” he said.

Lagos vehicle branding regulations
The controversy has also drawn attention to Lagos State regulations concerning branding and advertisements on vehicles.

The Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency, LASAA, has previously stated that its Mobile Advert Permit applies to branded vehicles operating within the state.

PUNCH reported in November 2024 that the permit is issued to owners or users of branded vehicles, including cars, buses, pick-ups and trucks. The permit is valid from January to December and is subject to annual renewal.

LASAA’s current website also lists “Car, Truck & Bike branding” under its Mobile Branding Permit system.

In 2023, the agency said the mobile advert permit was introduced to regulate branded vehicles, with enforcement teams deployed across Lagos to ensure compliance.

Despite the existing regulations concerning vehicle branding and mobile advertising, the Lagos State Task Force maintained that its operatives were not involved in the incident involving the Toyota Tacoma.

The agency also reiterated that requesting a permit for an inscription on a vehicle does not fall within its mandate.

The incident has therefore raised questions over the identity of the officials involved and the distinction between the various enforcement agencies operating across Lagos