Lagos commercial driver sets vehicle, LASTMA officer ablaze

Nigerians witnessed a dramatic scene on Tuesday as an angry commercial vehicle driver set ablaze his bus and an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority in an attempt to escape arrest.

Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, confirmed the development in a statement on X.

According to a viral video, an affected LASTMA officer was seen severely burned after the incident, while others took to their heels for safety.

According to LASTMA, the incident occurred in the Cele area, inward Mile 2, after officers intercepted the bus for violating traffic regulations.

“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is aware of a distressing video showing the driver of a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus, licence plate LSD 355 CK, setting both his vehicle and LASTMA officers ablaze in a brazen attempt to evade arrest.

“This shocking incident occurred today, Tuesday, 5 November 2024, when the driver resisted arrest with extreme aggression by LASTMA officials.

“The vehicle had been intercepted for violating traffic regulations in the Cele inward Mile 2 area.

“In the course of the arrest, the driver and his conductor became violent, pouring gasoline on LASTMA personnel and engaging in hostile confrontations and physical attacks against the officers present.

“The injured LASTMA officer, who sustained severe burns, was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment,” the Lagos government agency stated.