Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has declared that anyone who attacks officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be prosecuted without exception. He made the statement during the agency’s Silver Jubilee celebration on Tuesday.
Represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at the 2nd Lagos Traffic Conference, Sanwo-Olu praised LASTMA officers for their dedication in managing Lagos traffic despite difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions.
“LASTMA officers are the thin yellow line standing between road order and chaos,” the governor said. “We will not tolerate any attack on them. Offenders will be dealt with according to the law.”
The conference, themed *“Enhancing Traffic Efficiency and Safety on Lagos Roads: Challenges, Opportunities and Innovations,”* focused on new ways to improve traffic flow and safety in one of Africa’s busiest cities.
Sanwo-Olu also promised a major investment in smart traffic technology, including Artificial Intelligence, automatic number plate recognition, and drone surveillance systems, to modernise traffic control in the state.
“Our goal is a technology-driven LASTMA that can meet the mobility demands of a fast-growing city like Lagos,” he added.
The keynote speaker, Mr. Sridhar Uttara, President of U.S.-based engineering firm Infotran, advised Lagos to set up a Unified Mobility Control Centre and train traffic personnel in AI and data tools. He called for more investment in smart mobility zones and research.
Special Adviser on Transportation, Mr. Sola Giwa, said LASTMA officers do more than manage traffic — they save lives, respond to emergencies, and help move goods and services across the state.
Giwa pointed out several challenges the agency faces, including driver indiscipline, overcrowded roads, and growing public hostility toward traffic officers. However, he said the government is tackling these issues with innovative strategies under Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership.
Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, described LASTMA as one of Nigeria’s most successful public policies and praised the agency’s unique approach to balancing law enforcement with public service.
He also paid tribute to officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, recalling their sacrifices to maintain order on Lagos roads, especially in high-risk areas like Apapa.
As LASTMA marks 25 years of service, the government and stakeholders are calling for more public cooperation and respect for traffic officers to ensure a safer and more efficient Lagos.