Lagos moves against traffic offenders, robbers

By Tope Musowo
Lagos

Sequel to the rising traffic misconduct by some motorists and motorcycle operators, popularly known as okada riders, the Lagos state government has begun intensive enforcement against those in the habit of flouting traffic laws, just as it has also declared war on men of the underworld who seize traffic situations to rob unsuspecting citizens.

Commander of the Governor’s Monitoring Team (GMT), Adebowale Ganiyu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, disclosed this shortly after an enforcement exercise which led to the arrest of several commercial vehicles plying the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes.
He said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode mandated the Team to clamp down on traffic offenders and robbers who had been causing havoc on Lagos roads in recent times.

He said the directive given by the governor was aimed at restoring sanity on the roads and to boost the confidence of residents in line with the commitment of the government to ensure safety of lives and property of every resident.
According to Ganiyu, the Team has put in place measures to forestall any indiscipline act by road users who are in the habit of driving against traffic, plying the BRT lane strictly meant for BRT and Lagbus buses, disobeying traffic light and okada riders who are back on restricted roads.

He said the Team had set up a feedback social media platform by which residents can alert the government on emergencies as it relates to security and traffic disorder.
He said: “We want to implore Lagosians to utilise our feedback and alert platforms.  Aside the 112 and 767 toll free emergency lines, the Governor’s Monitoring Team can be reached on tweeter @LagosGMT.

This handle was created to alert Government on any issue bothering onsecurity and I can assure you that a quick response will be given.
“The governor’s Monitoring Team is an operational unit of the governor and they have been equipped with the necessary logistics and power to restore sanity back in the state along with other security agencies.”