Coming on the heels of a violent fracas between some soldiers and men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the recent meeting of leaders of the two law-enforcement units is highly instructive, and will perhaps serve to douse tension and possibly forge cooperation between the agencies.
Such cooperation cannot be over-emphasized among such agencies. As the Commander of the 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Adegoke Moses Adetuyi, said, bad elements prosper when there is division among security agencies. The Army Chief as well as the General Manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba, pledged to collaborate to effectively manage the near chaotic traffic situations in the state. This was during a working visit by Officials of the 9 Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army led by General Adetuyi.
Before the meeting, about 15 officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and some soldiers were reportedly injured in the violent clash between certain LASTMA officials and soldiers in the Oshodi area of Lagos State.
The violent clash transpired after some LASTMA officials apprehended the driver of a commercial vehicle in which a uniformed soldier was a passenger, alleging that the driver had violated traffic rules. Upon the apprehension, the soldier seated in the front of the vehicle purportedly requested that the LASTMA officials allow the driver to go free as a mark of respect and in recognition of his presence, regardless of any potential traffic violations committed by the driver. The LASTMA officials however refuted pleas from passengers of the bus and held their ground; insisted on impounding the vehicle, transporting it to the LASTMA yard in Oshodi, Lagos.
This situation eventually escalated into a physical altercation between the LASTMA officials and the soldier. During the confrontation, the former reportedly gained the upper hand, forcibly removing the soldier from the vehicle and subjecting him to physical assault. Upon learning of this distressing incident, several soldiers from a nearby army barracks promptly descended upon the scene, attacking the LASTMA officials and causing them multiple injuries. The attack by the soldiers persisted throughout the weekend in the Oshodi and Ojota areas of the state, prompting both the LASTMA officials and members of the public in the vicinity to flee to safety.
The assault on LASTMA officials and the infliction of injuries upon them by vengeful soldiers is condemnable. It is disheartening that violent confrontations between soldiers and civilians have become a recurring issue in the public sphere of Nigeria. If the LASTMA officials were merely executing their civic duty of directing traffic and apprehending drivers who violated traffic regulations, there should be no grounds for soldiers to interfere to the extent of physically assaulting them.
It is perplexing that soldiers, whose primary role should be confined to military barracks and intervening only when the country’s security demands it, are now engaged in public altercations. Regrettably, too, there are too many instances where soldiers in uniform openly flout traffic signals, violate one-way traffic regulations, and forcibly occupy front seats in commercial vehicles without paying fares.
Oreagba downplayed the clash between LASTMA officials and the soldiers, saying there was no quarrel between the two sister agencies. He added that LASTMA personnel would continue to rely on continuous support from the Nigerian Army, and other security agencies statewide. On his part, Gen. Adetuyi emphasized the need for more cordial collaboration and maximum cooperation between all government agencies, including LASTMA.
While commending LASTMA officials for the wonderful work they are doing morning and night, Brigadier-General Adetuyi promised that the Nigerian Army particularly the 9 Brigade Command, would continue to render support where necessary to activities of LASTMA on our roads and ensure safety of traffic managers in the discharge of their statutory duties.
As members of the armed forces, soldiers have a vital responsibility to uphold national security and safeguard a nation’s interests. Nonetheless, when soldiers are too visible and wield unwarranted authority in civilian life, it can lead to a host of adverse consequences for society and undermine democratic principles.
However, while some LASTMA officials perform their duties ethically and professionally, others are corrupt and regularly extort money from motorists. Oftentimes, they exhibit personal biases or prejudices when enforcing regulations. For example, it has become noticeable in Lagos that LASTMA officials do not enforce traffic rules against drivers of rickety commercial (danfo) buses and trailers. Instead of helping to manage traffic flow, prevent congestion, and maintain road safety, some exuberant LASTMA officials are more interested in deceptively laying siege to the expressway to ambush motorists and extort money from them.
Being in uniform signifies a call to service in other countries, and Nigeria should be no exception. Uniform should not be used as a call to lawlessness and oppressive behaviour towards others. Individuals in uniform should not feel entitled to oppress or harass fellow citizens. Uniformed men and women in Nigeria seem to believe that their uniforms grant them the privilege to benefit from situations they did not contribute to.
Therefore, it is essential for both authorities and citizens to collaborate in order to protect innocent motorists, pedestrians, and commuters from the oppression and tyranny perpetuated by uniformed individuals in Nigeria. LASTMA should function as a law-abiding institution. All citizens are equal in the eyes of the law. Neither LASTMA, soldiers, FRSC officials, nor any other uniformed individual on the road is exempted from the nation’s laws.
Therefore, the authorities and the citizens should collaborate to save innocent motorists, passers-by, and commuters from the oppression and tyranny of the uniformed men in Nigeria. LASTMA should be an institution that abides by the law. Consequently, governments should provide comprehensive training to traffic wardens, soldiers, and policemen on the expressways, enabling them to operate within the ambit of their powers and only use them for their intended purpose. Traffic wardens, policemen, and soldiers mounting roadblocks, who are caught or reported to have abused their power or engaged in any corrupt practices, should be punished accordingly.
The military hierarchy should promote strong leadership within the military and uniformed services to ensure that commanders emphasize discipline, professionalism, and respect for civilians. Governments should raise awareness through media campaigns about the importance of respectful interactions between uniformed personnel and civilians. Instead of engaging in open conflicts, soldiers and LASTMA should collaborate to effectively manage the chaotic Lagos vehicular traffic. Our society should be governed by law and not by the whims and caprice of uniformed dictators.
