In the first quarter of 2026, a minimum of 69 individuals lost their lives in road incidents throughout Lagos State, which has prompted new apprehensions regarding the safety of the state’s congested road network.
LASTMA, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, disclosed that an additional 246 individuals sustained injuries of varying severity during the same period, which is indicative of the ongoing human toll of traffic violations and collisions.
The figures were disclosed by the agency’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, during an interview on Sunday. Bakare-Oki noted that officials attended to more than 600 accident locations between January and March.
Furthermore, Bakare-Oki reported that the authority resolved over 900 violations associated with articulated vehicles and trucks, which were prevalent infractions involving heavy-duty vehicles.
In addition, he stated that enforcement operations were substantially heightened during the period, with approximately 4,900 physical patrol and intervention exercises conducted throughout the state, and technology-based monitoring systems recording 17,942 traffic offences.
He maintains that the agency maintains a strict posture against traffic violations.
“LASTMA has a zero-tolerance policy for traffic infractions,” he stated, elucidating that vehicles that have been impounded for violations are promptly prosecuted before the Lagos State Mobile Court.
Bakare-Oki observed that operational efficacy and traffic management had improved, despite the figures.
“We have been able to enhance our service delivery in the first quarter, with a particular emphasis on reducing the travel time for Lagos residents.”
“We conducted a thorough overhaul of traffic equipment and recovery vehicles, strategically relocating them to improve the response time to incidents.”
“We initiated training and reorientation programs for personnel with the objective of enhancing service delivery,” he stated.
Additionally, the CEO of LASTMA disclosed plans to enhance workforce capacity by means of an extensive training initiative.
“The training process has commenced through both internal and external programs, and we intend to train more than 1,000 personnel.”
“In the upcoming months, we will intensify high-level capacity-building initiatives for all staff,” he added. Additionally, we have engaged consultants to provide specialised training.