The Lagos State Government has disbursed ₦40 million in financial support to the families and dependants of 20 officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) who died while carrying out their duties.
Each family received ₦2 million at a presentation ceremony held on Tuesday at the LASTMA headquarters in Oshodi, Lagos.
State officials said the payment was not compensation for loss of life but a symbolic show of appreciation for officers who died serving the public.
‘This is not compensation’
Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said no amount of money could replace human life.
“This support is not compensation,” he said.“
It is an extra gesture by the governor to show appreciation for men and women who worked in very dangerous conditions and paid the ultimate price.”
Mr Giwa described traffic enforcement as a high-risk job, noting that officers face daily threats from aggressive drivers and unsafe road conditions.
He added that existing laws already provide benefits for civil servants who die in service, making the ₦40m payment an additional intervention by the state.
“This is also to thank the families for giving us their fathers, mothers and children to serve Lagos,” he said.
Why it matters
LASTMA officers are often on the front line of road safety enforcement in Nigeria’s busiest city, managing traffic congestion, accidents and law enforcement risks.
For families left behind, the loss is both emotional and financial. Public policy experts say such gestures can help rebuild trust between government institutions and public servants, especially in high-risk sectors.
Government reassures officers
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, said the initiative reflects a people-centred approach to governance.
He said recognising sacrifice sends a strong message to serving officers. “It assures those still in service that dedication and sacrifice will always be honoured and remembered,” he said.
LASTMA: ‘Their legacy lives on’
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s leadership, describing it as consistent and humane.“These officers were patriots,” he said.“Their discipline, courage and service will remain permanently written in the history of this agency.”
In a separate interview, Mr Bakare-Oki said LASTMA officers benefit from insurance coverage, medical support and special life insurance, describing the welfare package as among the best for paramilitary agencies in Nigeria.
He added that families of officers killed in the line of duty have previously received up to ₦10 million, alongside other benefits.
Safety, training and prevention
Mr Bakare-Oki said LASTMA has intensified training and retraining programmes over the past two years to reduce risks.He said officers are taught how to approach vehicles safely and professionally, with emphasis on protecting lives including their own.
Voices from the families
Adding an emotional note, Mrs Angela Coker, widow of LASTMA’s pioneer General Manager, spoke directly to widows and widowers at the event.
She said she became a widow over 22 years ago and raised her children alone for over two decades.“Be strong for your children,” she said.
“Talk to them, guide them, pray for them. God takes care of children.”
She encouraged families to use the financial support for education and long-term welfare.
‘We are grateful’
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Adeyemo Rotimi thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for remembering their families.
She said the gesture reassured them that their loved ones’ sacrifices had not been forgotten.
What’s next
State officials say Lagos will continue to review welfare packages for traffic officers, including long-term benefits and safety measures, to reduce fatalities and support families.