LAGOS: LASG launches ‘anti-oneway’ taskforce

THE Lagos State government has launched a special security team to curb the activities of one-way drivers and other traffic offenders in the state.

The task force codenamed ‘Anti-Oneway and Other Traffic Offenders Squad’ immediately swung into action after its launch.

The team combed the Ikeja, Ojota and Maryland areas of the state.

During the operation, commercial motorcycle riders who defied the state’s traffic restriction order were arrested.

It was also gathered that a residential area in Ikeja, habouring commercial motorcycle riders flouting the state’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.

During the operation, many motorcycles were retrieved from the building while some of the offenders were arrested.

A Superintendent of Police, Shola Jejeloye, who is the head of the team, explained that the operation was set up to complement the activities of the existing Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Task Force) being led by Yinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

He stated that the team would not be lenient on those flouting Lagos traffic regulations and warned motorists who have the intention of driving on one-way lanes to desist from the act.

“We have been mandated by the Commissioner of Police to stop acts of indiscipline by some motorists who are in the habit of flouting traffic regulations of Lagos State,” said Jejeloye who is the commander of policemen in the Governor’s Monitoring Team (GMT).

He added, “We will discharge this duty without fear or favour, and our activities will be professionally exercised in line with the mandate of the team. I, therefore, urge motorists to obey the traffic laws and be patient when driving on the roads.

“We will not be lenient on motorists that are in the habit of committing traffic offences. Offenders arrested will be prosecuted and have their vehicles confiscated.”

The Anti-Oneway and Other Traffic Offenders Squad was raised by the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Hakeem Odumosu, at the instance of the state governor,  Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Part of its mandates included to arrest and impound vehicles plying one-way, BRT lanes, and motorcyclists operating in restricted areas.