Chaos erupted on Tuesday in the Super area of Abule-Egba, Lagos, as protesters clashed with Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials and police officers.
The confrontation began after LASTMA officers allegedly pursued a Toyota Corolla driver, causing him to collide with another vehicle, fatally injuring him just days before his wedding.
According to witnesses, the Corolla driver had mistakenly driven onto a BRT lane, pleading ignorance of any signage. Despite his plea, the officials reportedly demanded N100,000, but he only offered N40,000, negotiating up to N70,000.
When the officials refused, instructing him to withdraw cash from a nearby PoS, another car also fleeing LASTMA collided with his vehicle, killing him and injuring his brother.
Passersby and local traders, angered by what they described as LASTMA’s frequent exploitation of motorists at this location, chased away the officials.
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Protesters blocked the BRT lane, chanting and demanding the removal of LASTMA and police officers from the area
As protests continued, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed awareness of the incident but noted he hadn’t received full details. Five police patrol vehicles were present, attempting to clear the barricade as protesters resisted.
He said: ” I am aware that a driver who broke the law by passing through BRT lane, hit a man and the man died. I have not been properly briefed”.
