The officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), on Thursday, apprehended the occupants of an unregistered wine coloured Toyota Camry Sedan vehicle at Ikate, Lekki-Ajah axis of the State, who were accused of robbing a lady of her valuables.
According to a statement issued by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olajide Oduyoye, the LASTMA officers had stopped the car due to the suspicious manner the driver moved against traffic on a one-way road, seeking to find out what was amiss or if the occupants were in need of any assistance.
He explained further that it was while the driver was being interrogated by the officers that a lady raised an alarm about the activities of the occupants, claiming that she was robbed after she boarded the vehicle, which turned out a one-chance vehicle. She narrated how all her valuables, including phone, ATM debit card and some other items, were forcibly taken from her.
Oduyoye disclosed that the revelation led to the subsequent handover of the two occupants of the vehicle, along with the victim, to the officers at Maroko Police Station by the LASTMA officers for further investigation and necessary prosecution of the alleged culprits.
While commending the efforts of the LASTMA officers involved in the heroic act, the General Manager said the mandate of the Agency extends beyond traffic management on Lagos roads to rendering humanitarian services when the occasion arises.
He also recalled a recent incident at Fagba area of Iju-Ishaga axis of the State, where the assistance rendered by some LASTMA officers on duty in the area saved the lives of a pregnant lady and her child who were involved in a commercial motorcycle accident plying a one-way road.
Oduyoye enjoined Lagos residents to always be vigilant when boarding commercial vehicles, by insisting that the drivers obey the Lagos State Traffic Law as promulgated by the Lagos State House of Assembly and generally encourage and support traffic officers while at their duty posts so that they can do more.