Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has recorded approximately 38,000 traffic violations through its technology-driven enforcement system in the second quarter of 2026, marking a significant shift in the agency's approach to traffic regulation and road safety compliance. The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, 12 July 2026, noting that the Traffic Management Solution (TMS) devices captured thousands of offending vehicles during the period between April and June 2026.
Bakare-Oki explained that the agency is gradually moving from physical enforcement to technology-driven enforcement, a strategy that has significantly increased the number of traffic offenders detected. "LASTMA is trying to move from physical enforcement to technology-driven enforcement, and that is why we captured more vehicles with technology in the second quarter of the year," he said. The agency also apprehended more than 3,000 motorists through conventional enforcement operations during the same period. Officers on the ground focused on offences that impede the free flow of traffic, including indiscriminate parking, failure to use designated bus stops, driving against traffic, illegal use of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lane, and failure to wear seat belts.
Bakare-Oki explained that once sufficient evidence is established against an offending motorist through the TMS devices, the agency serves the vehicle owner with court papers for prosecution. The cases are then taken to the Lagos State Mobile Court, which has the legal authority to determine guilt and impose fines. Motorists who choose not to appear in court after receiving court papers may complete a waiver form in LASTMA's Legal Department, relinquishing their right to litigation after paying the prescribed penalty. Despite the waiver option, Bakare-Oki encouraged affected motorists to appear before the Mobile Court to receive a fair hearing.
The LASTMA boss urged motorists to comply with traffic laws, stressing that adherence to road regulations remains essential to improving safety and reducing congestion across Lagos. He also disclosed that the state government has commenced a coordinated enforcement and cleanup operation along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, following a directive issued by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the last monthly environmental sanitation exercise. The operation involves several government agencies, including LASTMA, the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), the IRS Task Force, and the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment. "It is aimed at clearing trash, removing vehicles and other encumbrances from the road," Bakare-Oki stated.
LASTMA's shift toward technology-driven enforcement reflects a broader trend across major African cities, where traffic authorities are increasingly deploying camera-based and automated enforcement systems to improve compliance, enhance road safety, and reduce reliance on officer-led traffic enforcement. The agency has also commenced drone operations to improve traffic monitoring, strengthen security surveillance, and enhance public safety across the state, providing real-time aerial visibility of traffic conditions and enabling faster responses to congestion, road crashes, and other emergencies.
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