Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lagos, Nigeria — Six individuals have been remanded in custody by a Lagos State Mobile Court following their alleged involvement in a violent assault on officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other enforcement officers during a midnight traffic enforcement operation along Airport Road, authorities confirmed Wednesday, December 24, 2025. The case has drawn heightened attention amid ongoing state efforts to suppress street-level criminality and maintain public order in Africa’s most populous city.
The suspects were among seven people arraigned on Tuesday, December 23, before the Chief Magistrate of the Lagos State Mobile Court on a four-count charge that includes violent conduct, obstruction of lawful duty and destruction of public property. After proceedings before the court, one defendant who entered a plea of not guilty was granted bail, while the remaining six were ordered to be remanded in custody as the matter was adjourned to February 19, 2026, for further hearing.
According to a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, the enforcement exercise was personally led by the agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki. The wide-ranging operation was carried out in collaboration with security operatives, the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Corps, the Lagos State Task Force and LASTMA field officers in response to persistent complaints from the Nigerian Airport Authority (NPA) over illegal occupation of airport facilities by criminal syndicates and defiant commercial bus operators.
The NPA’s formal complaints, according to officials, centred on the unlawful encroachment of its spaces along the airport corridor by groups of commercial transport operators and criminal elements operating in open defiance of regulatory directives. These activities were blamed for creating a public nuisance, with repeated reports of harassment, intimidation and dispossession of unsuspecting members of the travelling public.
During the execution of the enforcement exercise, the situation reportedly escalated into violence when the suspects allegedly attacked five officers attached to the joint task force with dangerous weapons in an apparent bid to disrupt the exercise. In a dramatic turn, one of LASTMA’s tow trucks was deliberately set ablaze by the assailants in a desperate attempt to challenge the authority of state enforcement agencies and intimidate personnel.
Despite the alleged violent assault and danger posed to enforcement officers, Taofiq stated that the joint task force exhibited professionalism and restraint throughout the confrontation. The operation resulted in the impoundment of 56 vehicles for various traffic and environmental infractions, underscoring the scale of non-compliance and regulatory breaches in the area. The seized vehicles included 44 commercial buses, five private cars and seven trucks.
In a statement following the incident, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to safeguarding critical public infrastructure, ensuring the safety of road users and upholding law and order across the metropolis. Bakare-Oki condemned the violent resistance, stressing that the state would not succumb to intimidation or tolerate any form of violence from criminal elements.
“We will continue to enforce existing regulations that protect both the public and state assets,” Bakare-Oki said, emphasising that offenders would face the full weight of the law. He also assured residents that enforcement operations along strategic corridors of Lagos would continue unabated and in close collaboration with relevant agencies to curb criminality and restore public order.
The court’s remand order for the six suspects reflects a strict judicial response to the incident. Under Nigerian law, offences involving assault on law enforcement personnel, obstruction of official duties and destruction of public property carry significant penalties, including imprisonment. Remand in custody pending trial is often employed in cases where the court determines that suspects may pose a flight risk or where the severity of the alleged acts calls for strict judicial oversight.
The attack in Lagos highlights the broader challenges authorities face in enforcing traffic and public order regulations in a sprawling megacity where informal transport networks and unregulated commercial operators often resist compliance. LASTMA, established to manage traffic flow and enforce compliance with transport regulations, has frequently been at the forefront of confrontations with motorists and commercial operators who perceive enforcement actions as disruptive or punitive.
Over the years, there have been multiple reports of confrontations between traffic officers and motorists or criminal elements in Lagos. These incidents reflect deeper tensions between enforcement agencies and segments of the public who feel aggrieved by regulatory actions, compounded by broader socio-economic pressures such as unemployment and urban congestion.
Security experts note that law enforcement operations in densely populated urban environments require not only the deployment of personnel but also robust community engagement and public education to foster cooperation and compliance. Advocacy groups have called for greater investment in traffic management technology, improved infrastructure, and training for enforcement officers in de-escalation techniques to reduce the likelihood of violent clashes.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command remains engaged in broader security measures across the state, particularly during the festive season, deploying thousands of officers to ensure peace and protect residents and visitors. These efforts aim to reinforce public confidence in the safety of the city and to deter crime, whether on the roads or in communities.
As the legal proceedings continue, the remand of the six suspects sends a clear message about the state’s approach to violence against enforcement officials and the rule of law. The February 19, 2026 court date will provide further clarity on the evidence against the accused and the path forward for judicial resolution of the case.
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