Africa-Press – Nigeria. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, has said at least 1,075 injured people were rescued from road accidents across Lagos State during emergency operations carried out in 2025.
The agency said the figure shows steady progress in its efforts to improve road safety and reduce accidents on Lagos roads.
LASTMA explained that the rescues were made possible through stronger enforcement, quick emergency response, and close cooperation with other relevant agencies.
Officers were also stationed in accident-prone areas to ensure victims received help on time.
According to the Authority, rescue operations took place along major traffic routes using fast response systems, teamwork with partner agencies, and the careful deployment of personnel to high-risk locations. These steps, it said, helped save lives and reduce the impact of crashes.
LASTMA also disclosed that its enforcement activities led to the seizure of 5,581 private vehicles for various traffic offences. In addition, 10,825 commercial vehicles were apprehended for offences such as reckless driving, overloading, road obstruction, mechanical faults, and failure to obey traffic rules.
The agency further revealed that 760 vehicles were arrested for driving against traffic, also known as one-way driving.
LASTMA described this offence as a major cause of serious accidents and preventable deaths on Lagos roads.
Speaking on the figures, the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the results show a clear move toward better traffic management built on technology, intelligence-based enforcement, and continuous public education.
“These figures reflect a deliberate transition toward proactive traffic governance anchored on the deployment of modern technology, intelligence-driven enforcement and sustained public enlightenment designed to recalibrate motorists’ behaviour and entrench a culture of civic responsibility on the roads,” he said.
Bakare-Oki noted that LASTMA officers are often among the first responders at accident scenes, where they risk their lives to rescue injured victims, secure crash areas, manage traffic and work with medical and emergency teams to prevent further incidents.
He explained that many of the rescued victims were involved in accidents caused by speeding, mechanical problems, fatigue, impaired driving, and dangerous actions such as driving against traffic. He said these behaviours continue to threaten road safety.
The General Manager added that impounding vehicles are part of LASTMA’s wider strategy to discourage traffic violations, remove unsafe vehicles from the roads, and enforce traffic laws meant to protect lives and property.
He stressed that enforcement alone cannot guarantee long-term road safety without the support of motorists, transport unions, fleet operators and the general public. According to him, LASTMA has continued to expand public awareness programmes, stakeholder engagement, and targeted campaigns to encourage drivers to follow traffic rules voluntarily.
Bakare-Oki said reviews carried out during the year showed that LASTMA’s quick rescue response helped reduce the severity of injuries, prevent deaths and restore traffic flow after accidents.
“The Authority’s strategic framework prioritises prevention, early identification of risk indicators and immediate incident response—an approach indispensable to managing mobility within the dynamic ecosystem of a rapidly expanding megacity,” Bakare-Oki said.
He added that LASTMA’s operations now rely more on technology-based monitoring, intelligence-led deployment, regular training for officers, and stronger collaboration with emergency agencies to improve performance.
While acknowledging the progress made, the Authority reminded road users that safety is a shared responsibility. It urged motorists to obey speed limits, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, avoid one-way driving, and comply with lawful instructions from traffic officers.
LASTMA reaffirmed its commitment to sustained enforcement, increased public education, and the adoption of modern strategies to tackle transportation challenges across Lagos State.
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