The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has said that viral video on Twitter, which showed its officials driving against the traffic and being blocked by a private vehicle at the Oworonsoki end of Third Mainland bridge, Lagos happened in 2020.
The video originated from the Twitter handle @OmoGbajaBiamila (Demola of Lagos).
LASTMA said that the operational vehicle in the video, marked RTM 08 LA Zone 25 Bariga, was among its operational vehicles burnt together with its office building by #EndSARS protesters at Iyana-Oworonsoki, Lagos.
The press statement, signed by LASTMA’s General Manager, Bolaji Oreagba reads: “The attention of Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been drawn to a viral video on ‘Twitter’ (@OmoGbajaBiamila) where our Officers who drove against traffic (One-way) with an operational vehicle (RTM 08 LA Zone 25 Bariga) was blocked by a private vehicle on Oworonsoki bridge, Lagos.
“The Agency hereby states categorically that the video incident video occurred in year 2020 before the #ENDSARS protest around Iyana-Oworo. All Officers involved have been appropriately sanctioned by the Authority.
“The patrol van with registration No. RTM 08 LA (Zone 25 Bariga) seen in the viral video was among LASTMA operational vehicles burnt alongside our office building by #Endsars protesters at Iyana-Oworo, Lagos.
“The Agency, therefore, urges members of the public to disregard the video that was deployed to embarrass our team of hardworking Officers. “
“LASTMA will continue effective monitoring and control of traffic across the State, just as it will not condone indiscipline among any of its personnel”.
In a series of tweets, Lagos Police Command spokesman, Suprentendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin wrote from his verified Twitter handle, @BenHundeyin: “I have contacted LASTMA authorities and the head of the Police unit with LASTMA. I can confirm that internal investigation has begun. This will not be swept under the carpet. We appreciate citizen reportage.”
Hundeyin finally wrote: “Here’s the final update. Immediately I saw the motorcycles, I knew it was an old video. Motorcycles have been banned in that area”.
