Military, LASTMA clash over attempt to close Lagos road

Officials from the Lagos Traffic Management Authority and military personnel have clashed over the military’s attempt to close the busy Adeniji to Falomo Road.

The standoff between the two parties is ongoing at the time of filing this report.

PUNCH Online has learned that the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Keisha, had enlisted the military’s assistance to enforce the road closure for the purpose of rehabilitating certain sections of the road.

A LASTMA official stated that it is customary for their superiors to be informed in advance so that the Lagos Ministry of Transportation can communicate the development to the public and make a formal announcement.

A LASTMA official, Omoyeni Oladele, told our correspondent that, “If the road is closed without prior announcement by the state to residents, motorists will endure severe hardship.”

A senior officer at the Lagos Ministry of Works, who requested anonymity to avoid being perceived as anti-Federal Government, informed our correspondent that this is not the first time the Federal Controller of Works has “employed the military in carrying out her duties.”

He further stated, “We are aware of the current standoff between LASTMA officials and the Federal Ministry of Works regarding the rehabilitation of the Adeniji to Falomo Road. The conflict arose from the attempt to close a section of the road without proper notification to the public.

“LASTMA officials insist that the road cannot be closed without sufficient notice to the public, while the FMOW, led by the controller, remains adamant about the closure and has engaged military personnel to enforce it.”

The official added that the standoff began at midnight, with LASTMA personnel calling for backup from the task force.

He noted, “The situation could have escalated into a physical confrontation if the military personnel had not exercised restraint.”

Efforts to contact the Federal Controller of Works, Mrs Olukorede Keisha, were unsuccessful as she did not answer repeated calls or respond to text messages.

When reached, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transport, Wale Musa, confirmed the incident and assured that the ministry was working to resolve the issue.

“The General Manager of LASTMA has informed me of the situation. The Honourable Commissioner, the Special Adviser, and I are working to resolve the matter amicably,” Musa said.