PROTOCOLS:
INTRODUCTION
Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State. Today, the command has deemed it fit to express its concern on the high level of violation of traffic regulations in Lagos State; and the statutory roles of the Police in the enforcement of the traffic regulations and crime control as required.
It is not out of point to state that the aftermath of the #Endsars violence in the state has, to an extent, encouraged lawlessness, gross violation and disregard to traffic rules across the state.
This has been so worrisome due to the upsurge in road crashes and accidents that have claimed many lives, rendered many injured and properties destroyed in the state.
The Police Command has also observed that the violation of traffic rules by both private and public owners of vehicles, 2 motorcycles and tricycles has been detrimental and inimical to social and economic development and general security of the state. These are not acceptable any longer.
The Command wishes to reiterate and remind the general public of the major traffic regulations, as contained in the Transport Sector Law of Lagos State (2018) which will be religiously enforced by the command in conjunction with other security agencies, as stated below.
1. Driving in a direction prohibited by the law/neglect of traffic directions, that is ‘One Way’, attracts forfeiture of vehicle to the state government, under Part 111, item 27 of the Transport Sector Law of Lagos State (2018).
2. Use of BRT lite Corridor attracts a fine of #20,000 (Twenty Thousand naira only) for first offender, under Part 111, item 45 and 46 of the Transport Sector Law of
Lagos State (2018)
3. Wilful obstruction on highway attracts a fine of #50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira only) in addition to cost of towing.
4. Illegal U-Turn attracts a fine of #20,000 (Twenty Thousand Naira only) for first offender.
Permit me to clearly state, at this juncture, that in addition to the few above-stated traffic offences, the Police Command shall fully enforce every provision of the Transport Sector Law of Lagos State (2018).
In the light of the above, the command, so far, has contravened the followings between Thursday 12th and Monday 16th November, 2020.
In order to further enforce compliance with the traffic rules, Special Anti One Way Taskforce has been established at each Area Command which comprises Police, LASTMA and Federal Road Safety Corps. Similarly, Special unit on Anti One Way
has been established with Lagos State Taskforce and the Government Monitoring Team (GMT). They are all being empowered and directed to fully go after One Way vehicular traffic and okada violators. They are being accompanied by Mobile Court for instant trail and media teams for coverage and exposure of One Way violators to the world.
As it was done last ember months, the command is mobilizing and deploying one thousand (1000) personnel for traffic control and enforcement.
On this note, the command wishes to warn the general public that henceforth, any vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles plying on BRT lanes and/or driving on “One Way” will be impounded and forfeited to the government respectively while the owners will be charged to court. Equally, those who are in the habit of repairing their faulty vehicles on the road/spots where they get spoilt and create avoidable traffic obstruction must desist from this as full wrath of the law will henceforth be applied In addition, it’s criminal for anyone to cover his number plates on his vehicle and use siren. This is not only against traffic regulation but also criminal. Same goes to the use of siren. The command will not hesitate to arrest and prosecute any violators accordingly.
In another development, the command has re-launched its strategies to fight crimes and criminality across the state and bring to book the hoodlums that hijacked the EndSARS protest in the state. Most of the hoodlums were highly suspected to have been responsible for killing, burning both public and private facilities including police stations, stealing and looting shopping outlets as most of their faces were identified in the videos of the atrocities. On 15th November, 2020, the command commenced raiding of identified black spots in all the fourteen
(14) Area Commands in Lagos State where seven hundred and ninety eight (798) suspects were arrested. The incriminating items recovered from the suspects included locally-made guns and life cartridges, substances suspected to be cocaine, weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and some items looted from the
Ajah Area Command and stations that were burnt by hoodlums during the recent EndSARS violence in Lagos State. The suspects have been handed over to the State CID, Panti, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
It will be recalled that on 27th October, 2020, the command addressed the press and paraded five hundred and sixty (560) suspects arrested in connection with murder, arson, house breaking and stealing and looting cases recorded during the
EndSARS violence in the state. So far, Four Hundred and thirty five (435) of them were prosecuted, forty three (43) are still under investigation while eighty two were screened out.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is high time we started restoring sanity to the system of Lagos State and maintain law and order.
The Police Command will not condone any act of lawlessness or criminality that is capable of crippling social and economic activities and general security of the state. While we urge the general public to respect the law and accord necessary cooperation to the police, the command will leave no stone unturned to provide adequate security for all and sundry in Lagos State, particular during and beyond the yuletide season.
Be assured, police are back on the road. We have, prior to EndSARS protest, boldly taken over our constitutional responsibilities of protecting lives and properties.
Thank you for your attention. b
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
