Lagos Government Launches 24-Hour Traffic Operation, Clears Illegal Structures Ahead of Yuletide
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| General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Mr. Bakare Oki Olalekan |
The Lagos State Government has flagged off a comprehensive 24-hour traffic management and enforcement operation across the state, as part of preparations for the high vehicular movement expected during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The initiative, tagged “Operation Ember Months Stability,” is being spearheaded by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to ensure free flow of traffic, public safety, and urban orderliness across major highways and nightlife corridors.
According to the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the agency has commenced round-the-clock deployment of personnel to critical traffic intersections and major routes such as Ikorodu Road, Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lekki-Epe Corridor, and Agege Motor Road to manage gridlock and maintain safety discipline among motorists and commuters.
Bakare-Oki explained that the exercise forms part of a coordinated multi-agency intervention under the supervision of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, focusing on traffic control, urban renewal, and environmental enforcement.
Over 250 Illegal Structures Cleared
In the course of the operation, more than 250 illegal shanties and makeshift structures were demolished across Apapa, Ijora, and Costain under-bridges. The clearance also involved the removal of abandoned vehicles and roadside encampments that had obstructed traffic flow and posed security threats to residents.
During the enforcement, officials reportedly discovered a dummy firearm and dangerous weapons hidden within one of the illegal structures—an incident that, according to Bakare-Oki, justified the urgency of the government’s action to safeguard public safety.
“All commercial bus operators previously engaging in illegal roadside loading have now been relocated to designated parks and terminals,” he confirmed.
Urban Renewal and Transport Integration
The Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) has been directed to take over all newly cleared open spaces, integrating them into the state’s formal transport infrastructure for improved traffic coordination and urban aesthetics, particularly within the Ijora transport corridor.
Swift Emergency Response
Bakare-Oki also highlighted LASTMA’s quick response capability, citing its Rescue Team’s intervention at the Kara Bridge incident on September 29, 2025, which involved multiple heavy-duty trucks and resulted in six fatalities.
He added that the use of high-capacity recovery and towing equipment prevented further casualties and reduced the extent of gridlock that could have paralyzed movement along the Third Mainland Bridge axis.
A similar rapid deployment was recorded during another articulated truck accident at Otedola Bridge the following day, ensuring timely clearance and restoration of traffic flow.
Commitment to Safer Mobility
The Lagos State Government reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safer mobility and sustainable urban management as residents and visitors prepare for the year-end festivities.
BSTV News - Lagos, Nigeria