The CP urged motorists to adhere to traffic laws and that the operation code named Velvet will commence today, enforced between 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
Christopher Oji
Lagos State Police Command, in collaboration with other sister agencies, have declared Operation Restore Sanity on the roads, beginning today.
The Command said saying anyone arrested driving against traffic would be arrested and tried by a mobile court.
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Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Imohimi Edgal, who is in charge of the team, disclosed this and said aside arresting defaulters, their vehicles would be impounded, in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, CSP Chike Oti.
To restore normalcy, the CP urged motorists, no matter their status in the society, to adhere strictly to traffic laws and that the operation, code named Velvet, will commence today, and would be enforced between 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m.
At a meeting with stakeholders, which comprised members of transport unions and other traffic agencies, at the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) Hall, Ikeja, Edgal disclosed that 1,000 policemen would be deployed to man strategic locations within the metropolis.
He also added that policemen have been directed to maintain order and arrest offenders.
“Any motorist, motorcyclist or tricyclist, private or commercial drivers caught driving against traffic or found without Driver’s Licence, and necessary things in their vehicles, would be arrested and charged to court; in accordance with the state traffic laws.
“The impunity with which traffic laws are being flouted has called for caution and it won’t be acceptable anymore; even law enforcement officers who disobey traffic laws must be made to face the music.
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“Lagosians and visitors disobey traffic laws with regards to driving against traffic, driving on BRT lanes and driving without required documents. We must collectively fight this in order to restore orderliness on our roads. Drivers have been discovered in many routes in the state for fragrant abuse of traffic rules,” the CP said.
He listed areas to be manned, from today, to include Apongbon bridge, Obalende bridge, Idumota (inward Iddo), Marina and Victoria Island, all under Area ‘A’ Command Lion Building as well as the 13 Area Commands.
Others include Ijora-Marine Bridge, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, under Area ‘B’ command; Ijora-Badia to Alakia Junction, Ojuelegba under bridge, Trade Fair, Alakija, Volks, Iyana-Oba, Alaba Rago, Festac 1st Gate, Second Rainbow, Agege Motor Road, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Allen Avenue, Agidingbi, by Omole, and Ile Zik to Mangoro.
Also included are Oko Oba Road, Ashade Road, College Road, Elere Oke Koto, Pedro, by Charlie Boy, Ketu Mile 12, Maryland Intersection, Odo Iya Alaro, BRT Lane, inward Ojuelegba, Jibowu, Bariga Traffic towards express, Lekki Admiralty Way, Freedom Way Ikate, Chevron Roundabout, VGC Roundabout, Ilaje Bus Stop, Ajah, Ado Road by Ajah, Abraham Adesanya Roundabout, Customs Point, by Agbara Bridge, Agege Road, by Dopemu, Ikotun/Egbeda Bus Stop and Iyana-Ipaja Roundabout.”
Identified routes under Area ‘D’ command, Mushin, notorious for traffic congestions included Cele, inward Mile Two, Cele (inward Ago – Okota), Oke-Afa( inward Ejugbo), Ijesha express, Mushin Ojuwoye street and Fadeyi, among other routes.
Edgal said that the police, as the lead agency in law enforcement, would deploy 50 men to each of the designated routes while other traffic management agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would have not less than five of their officials at the designated routes, while the transport unions would deploy one of their task force officials to the locations.
“Tell your members who don’t have the required documents to drive to leave the road in order not to risk their vehicles or okada from being impounded,” Edgal told heads of traffic unions.
But, he was quick to disclose that the exercise is not to generate funds, and that offenders would be given the opportunity, by the mobile courts, to get the correct documents before their vehicles or motorcycles would be released to them.