Commercial bus drivers kill LASTMA officer, beat colleague to a coma

No fewer than seven persons have been arrested in connection with the death of an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Godwin Obasu, who, alongside his colleague, Hakeem Adeniyi, was reportedly attacked by commercial drivers in the Bariga area of the state.

Adeniyi, who sustained injuries during the incident, was said to be battling for his life at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

It was gathered that the two LASTMA officials apprehended a commercial bus for contravening the traffic law of the state.

The bus driver was said to have mobilised his colleagues, who attacked Obasu and Adeniyi with different weapons, including machetes.

The Assistant Director, Public Affairs, LASTMA, Filade Olumide, in a statement on Thursday, said the General Manager of the agency, Mr Olajide Oduyoye, condemned the killing of Obasu, adding that Adeniyi was still in a coma.

Filade said, “Godwin Obasu and Hakeem Adeniyi were attacked with machetes and other weapons by the driver of a commercial bus with number plate, FKJ 452 YC, plying Bariga to Oshodi via the Ikorodu Road axis in cohort with some other drivers, after his vehicle was apprehended for contravening the traffic law of the state.

“The sad fact about the whole saga was that the two officers were in mufti and on their way home, having completed their morning shift and closed for the day, before the recalcitrant commercial bus drivers went berserk, seeking any LASTMA officer to attack for carrying out their statutory duties.

“Obazu was struck severally with machetes resulting in deep lacerations on his head and leading to his eventual death, while Hakeem Adeniyi, who was also attacked in a similar fashion, has been hospitalised and in a coma.

“While noting that some senior officers, who were also in mufti and around the area were lucky to escape the mob attack, the general manager warned all cultists doubling as commercial bus drivers that any traffic violation or infraction shall be punished or penalised as enacted by the Lagos State House of Assembly.”

The statement said seven suspects had been arrested and handed over to the police, while the bus driver and others were still at large. (The PUNCH)