Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has said that the viral video where some of its officials drove against traffic is not recent.
LASTMA general manager Bolaji Oreagba in a statement on Saturday identified the operational vehicle which was blocked by a private vehicle on Oworonsoki Bridge, Lagos as “RTM 08 LA Zone 25 Bariga”.
Spokesman of the police in the state Benjamin Hundeyin had earlier tweeted that he got confirmation that the officials who drove the van were summoned.
But Oreagba said the vehicle was destroyed during the #EndSARS protest in 2020.
“The attention of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been drawn to a viral video on ‘Twitter’ (@OmoGbajaBiamila) where our Officers who drove against traffic (One-way) with an operational vehicle (RTM 08 LA Zone 25 Bariga) was blocked by a private vehicle on Oworonsoki bridge, Lagos,” he said in the statement.
“The Agency hereby states categorically that the video incident video occurred in year 2020 before the #ENDSARS protest around Iyana-Oworo. All Officers involved have been appropriately sanctioned by the Authority.
“The patrol van with registration No. RTM 08 LA (Zone 25 Bariga) seen in the viral video was among LASTMA operational vehicles burnt alongside our office building by #Endsars protesters at Iyana-Oworo, Lagos.
“The Agency, therefore, urges members of the public to disregard the video that was deployed to embarrass our team of hardworking Officers.
“LASTMA will continue effective monitoring and control of traffic across the State, just as it will not condone indiscipline among any of its personnel.”
