Despite sustained crime prevention strategies that have ensured relative peace across Lagos State in the Yuletide season, a disturbing rise in horrific road accidents has triggered decisive action by the Lagos State Government. This development led to an emergency multi-agency meeting ordered by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, which was held on Tuesday, 23rd December, at the Lagos State Police Command HQ, Ikeja. The Nigeria Police, as the lead internal security agency, coordinated the meeting.
The emergency session brought together critical stakeholders responsible for road safety, traffic management, infrastructure and emergency response. In attendance were Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) representing Governor of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; Mr. Peter Gbejemede, Director of Operations representing the General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki; DCC Adeyemi O. Bashina, Deputy Corps Commander (Operations), representing the Lagos Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service; and a representative of the Federal Controller of Works.
Senior police officers present included the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Lagos Command, DCP Lawal Adeshina Bamidele; Area Commander, Area F, ACP Paul Okafor; Area Commander, Area H, ACP Shola Omilade; Area Commander, Area B, ACP Onyinye Onwuamaegbu; ACP Abayomi; CSP Shittu, Administrative Officer, Lagos Command; and SP Abimbola Adebisi, Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Command.
Addressing the gathering, the Executive Secretary CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan who represented the Governor at the emergency meeting hinted that the Lagos State Government is worried about the ugly tide of gory road traffic accidents and is therefore proactive to stem the situation in which lives are lost needlessly. He noted that the Governor approved the meeting to ensure a coordinated, intelligence-driven and solution-oriented response by all agencies responsible for road safety and traffic management.
According to him, ‘the presence of the Police, FRSC, LASTMA, Fire and Rescue Service and other stakeholders underscored the seriousness with which the government views the matter, especially in this season of influx of local and foreign guests. Lagos, as a global city and economic nerve centre, must uphold the highest standards of safety on its roads.’
The LSSTF CEO assured stakeholders that the state government would continue to provide critical logistical and operational support to security and safety agencies to enhance enforcement, emergency response and public education.
Dr. Ogunsan called on transport unions, fleet operators and motorists to take collective responsibility, warning that the government would fully back strict enforcement against recklessness, overloading and violation of traffic laws. He added that preventing road accidents is not only a law enforcement duty but a shared civic obligation to protect lives and sustain Lagos’ economic vitality.
On his part, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh said the meeting was convened to confront the recent spike in fatal road crashes and restore order on Lagos roads.
“The directive of Mr. Governor of Lagos State is that all agencies of both the federal and state government that have responsibility in ensuring security and safety on the highway should meet to look at the present situation of traffic and the recurring fatal motor accidents.”
“To the glory of God, we’ve been able to exemplify our operational activities to show that the Ember months can be crime-free months. From September to date, there have not been any major or serious concern of crime or criminality throughout the state, and in the fringes of Ogun State, to Epe, Ikorodu down to the waterside, we’ve ensured massive deployment. That’s to let you know the support that the IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun has been giving to the Command is very immense,” Jimoh said.
He stressed that while accidents were not necessarily alarming for a city of over 23 million people, reckless driving would no longer be tolerated. “Driving has rules, it has guidelines, and it’s a procedure that you need to follow in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.”
Jimoh announced that they will adopt a series of actions including inter-agency meetings, joint enforcement operations, increased policing of pedestrian bridges and stricter monitoring of articulated vehicles, particularly trucks and tankers operating beyond approved limits, and impoundment of erring vehicles.
“Our joint enforcement team will be working on a regular basis to ensure that we promptly arrest and prosecute every driver in this regard.”
Representing FRSC, DCC Adeyemi Bashina highlighted the Corps’ Safe to Load initiative. “If you go to all the tank farms where they load PMS in Lagos, we have our officials there with a checklist to ensure that any vehicle that wants to lift fuel satisfies standards,” which he said has brought about a sharp reduction in tanker explosions.
Also, LASTMA’s Mr. Peter Gbejemede said the collaboration would strengthen incident management and public compliance. “With the cooperation of the Police Command, the FRSC, and other security agencies, traffic accidents will reduce drastically,” he assured.