The Lagos State Taskforce has said that there is no going back on arrest and continuous clamp down on motorists driving against traffic on the state roads until the state is completely free from their recklessness and flagrant disobedience of the state traffic laws.
The statement was made on Tuesday by the Chairman of Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye at the agency’s headquarters, Safety Arena, Bolade Oshodi, Lagos in reaction to the spate of lawlessness and pocket of protests by hoodlums and miscreants when the Lagos State Taskforce impounded a commercial bus popularly known as ‘Danfo’ and a Toyota Avalon for driving against traffic along Egbeda-Idimu Road in the early hours of Tuesday.
The drivers of the Danfo bus with registration number AGL219XG and Toyota Avalon with registration number GGE432FS were apprehended while driving on one way and as soon as the vehicles were confiscated, the danfo bus driver quickly mobilized hoodlums and miscreants from nearby to protest against the seizure of the vehicles.
Speaking further on the incident, Jejeloye stated that revolts like this are not new to the officers and men of the Taskforce. He stated that law breakers, especially commercial bus drivers and okada riders, are quick to mobilize and cry foul whenever they are caught committing a crime or found wanting.
“We experience these things every day, so it’s not new to us. You will see commercial bus drivers and Okada riders endangering their lives and that of their passengers with no form of regard whatsoever, and when apprehended, they either start begging or try to incite the public against us.” Jejeloye stated.
He further highlighted that the arrest and prosecution of errant offenders was in the best interest of the state and the citizenry in general as this would serve as a deterrent to other road users, be it private or commercial. He decried the manner in which some unscrupulous elements joined in protesting against the confiscation of the vehicles, stating that many cases of hit and run accidents in the state were caused by drivers who drove on one-way.
CSP Jejeloye assured Lagosians that no amount of protests or reaction from traffic offenders would deter them from safeguarding lives and property in the state. He promised to carry on with the task of restoring sanity on the roads no matter whose ox is gored.
“We will not be intimidated by any group of hoodlums or miscreants who think they can mobilise and discourage us from doing what is right. Road traffic laws were set up for a reason and they must be obeyed to the letter. Anyone who feels he is above the law will find himself in court to answer for his crimes” he noted.
