A commercial bus driver, on Tuesday, 5th of November, set himself and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) on fire to evade arrest in the Mile 2 area of Lagos State.
The shocking incident, which created a buzz on the internet and across the state, was said to have happened in the Cele inward Mile-2 area after the driver had been pulled over for violating traffic regulations.
The director of the public affairs and enlightenment department at LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident in a statement.
He noted that the vehicle had been intercepted for violating traffic regulations, after which the driver tried to resist arrest with extreme aggression.
News About Nigeria reports that a video circulating on social media shows a yellow, 14-passenger city bus parked almost in the middle of the road, with at least eight traffic officers gathered in front, arguing with the driver.
The statement further revealed that the driver and his conductor suddenly resorted to pouring petrol on the LASTMA personnel, igniting a fire in the chaotic scene.
LASTMA added that the injured officer was rushed to a hospital for treatment.
The statement reads, “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has been made aware of a distressing video showing the driver of a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus, license plate LSD 355 CK, setting both his vehicle and LASTMA officers ablaze in a brazen attempt to evade arrest.
“This shocking event transpired today, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, when the driver resisted arrest with extreme aggression by LASTMA officials. The vehicle had been intercepted for violating traffic regulations in the Cele inward Mile 2 area.
“In the course of arrest, the driver and his conductor erupted into a frenzy, resorting to pouring petrol on LASTMA personnel and engaging in hostile confrontations and physical attacks against officers present.
“The injured LASTMA officer, who sustained severe burns, was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment.”
An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the fire had erupted abruptly, and caught the traffic managers unaware, adding that not all of them were lucky to escape unhurt.
Lagos commercial drivers have been known to do crazy and daring stuff just to evade arrest and bypass laws, but this seems to take the lead.
