LASTMA, Army meet over personnel clash, seeks to strengthen the partnership
Top officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the Nigerian Army, have met over the recent clashes between personnel of the two security agencies recently in Lagos.
Taofiq Adebayo, the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, who disclosed this in a statement, said that the agencies have agreed to mutually work on the cordiality and warm friendliness which has existed between them.
Recent viral video clips have shown a LASTMA official violently beating an Army personnel after the traffic officer had allegedly dragged the military personnel out of the front seat of a commercial bus following a traffic offence. Other videos showed soldiers, on a revenge mission, allegedly beating the LASTMA official.
During the meeting, LASTMA officials assured that such an occurrence would not repeat itself as existing channels of communication would be maintained and additional new hotlines be explored by the two agencies to always resolve issues.
Brigadier General Adegoke Moses Adetuyi, the Commander of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, in his address, said there is a need for more cordial collaboration and maximum cooperation between all government agencies including LASTMA as the bad elements prosper when there is division among security agencies.
Adetuyi, who commended LASTMA Officials for the wonderful work they are doing morning and night, promised that the Nigerian Army particularly the 9 Brigade Command, would continue to render support where necessary to activities of LASTMA on the roads of Lagos and ensure the safety of traffic managers in the discharge of their statutory duties.
The Army officers in attendance during the visit include Major A.A Nasir (OC MP), Major A. Sanusi, Major A.A Onwemene, Major A.K Ballo and LT T.H Owoyemi. LASTMA had top officials including Peter Gbejemede, Director of Operations; Biliaminu Apena, its Provost Marshal; James Adeoye, Head, Headquarters Operations (Rover); Macaulay Modupe-Ore, Head of LASTMA Training; CSP Ajibola Abayomi, Head of Police Unit of LASTMA and Adebayo.
Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Spokesman for the Army, had earlier in a statement, described clashes between soldiers and officials of the LASTMA as “disturbing.”
