Reports that Sanwo-Olu forbade LASTMA from detaining drivers are refuted

The Lagos State administration has refuted a rumour circulating on social media claiming the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority staff to cease apprehending drivers who make mistakes.

According to reports, Sanwo-Olu warned the LASTMA officers in the flyer that went viral on social media platforms on Wednesday to hand over the responsibility of apprehending drivers to the proper authorities and to focus on controlling traffic in the state.

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“Henceforth, no LASTMA officials should arrest any commercial or private motorist,” the flyer stated. LASTMA’s responsibility is traffic management, not arrests.

“I’ve heard a lot of complaints, and any official who disobeys a rule at work will face harsh consequences,”

“If LASTMA officers try to arrest you or violently get into your car at any point. Instead of arguing with them, let them in and give them the numbers, 08129928600 and 08129928550.

Meanwhile, Jubril Gawat, the governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, denounced the claim and labelled it as “fake news” in a curt message sent to The PUNCH.