14th July, 2017
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, Adamu Ibrahim has warned officers of the Nigeria Police in Lagos State to stop harassing traffic officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
He said this during a courtesy visit by the management of LASTMA on Thursday.
According to him, the Nigerian police officers were trained professionals that must obey and respect law of the state.
He warned that any police officer caught violating traffic laws, driving on the BRT dedicated corridor, intimidating or harassing LASTMA officials should be reported for necessary sanction.
Adamu assured LASTMA officers of continued police support and cooperation in the traffic control and implementation of the Lagos State traffic laws.
The visit to the AIG was in continuation of the effort of the agency to improve relationship between the Nigerian Police and LASTMA.
Speaking during the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, AIG Chris Olakpe (Rtd) said the visit was to develop synergy and bridge the gap between the agency and Nigerian Police.
According to him, the agency was out to promote cordial relationship and clear all the grey area of misunderstanding between the two agencies, in order to have harmonious working relationship for the overall progress and development of Lagos state.
He said police’s support and cooperation were crucial to the successful implementation of the state traffic laws.
He further called for the protection of LASTMA officials on duty across the state, as this would give them more impetus to perform and serve motorists and commuters better on the road.
Olakpe expressed satisfaction with the conduct and discipline of policemen on the roads and urged them to do more for orderliness to be sustained permanently on Lagos roads.
He advised officers of the Police X-Squad to always make a recourse to the agency whenever traffic officials were found wanting on duty, and assured that such official would be dealt with in accordance with the extant laws of the agency and civil service regulations.
General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olawale Musa called for more police back-up and protection for the agency.
He frowned at instances where police officers would drive on dedicated BRT corridor.
He further called for more protection and support for traffic officials to manage traffic all the time in some parts of the state.
The meeting was attended by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, Commissioners of Police in charge of Railways, Marine, Airports and other security heads and officials.
This visit was part of the efforts of LASTMA to promote good working relationship with other security agencies in the state.
It would be recalled that the agency had paid similar visit to other security formations in the state.