LASTMA impounds 123 vehicles, arrests 19 hoodlums

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, says it impounded 123 vehicles over illegal parking around bridges across Lagos Island.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by Mr Adebayo Taofiq, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA.

Babare-Oki said that the arrest was in continuation of a general enforcement operation to ease traffic across the state.

The LASTMA boss, who led the combined enforcement team with security operatives, said the exercise was carried out based on the directive of the Special Adviser to the governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa.

According to him, the agency swung into action after several warnings issued to both private and commercial bus drivers in the state to stop indiscriminate parking/illegal garages around bridges failed.

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Bakare-Oki confirmed that the 123 vehicles were impounded around Ebute-Ero by Idumota Bridge, Apongbon under Bridge, Simpson Bridge and Elegbata area of Lagos Island.

According to him, it was nauseating seeing those private and commercial bus drivers constituting public nuisance by parking at free will around bridges thereby causing avoidable gridlock.

“We will continue to ensure free flow of traffic by scaling up our enforcement and clampdown on these stubborn private and commercial bus drivers.

“Meanwhile, 19 notorious hoodlums were arrested over illegal collection of parking dues from innocent motorists,” he said.