Touts take over traffic duty in Lagos

Motor park touts under the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) have taken over traffic duty in most parts of Lagos metropolis, following the absence of policemen from major roads.

The touts were seen controlling traffic around Oshodi, Mile 2, Ketu-Ojota, Abule-Egba and Egbada.

• Concerns Over Social Media Abuse
• Nigeria Lacks Enough Personnel To Guarantee Security – Akinyemi

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, told Daily Trust that the state command adopted vehicular convoy patrol as a way to protect the lives of policemen.

He said the state Commissioner of Police, had ordered Area Commanders and their respective Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to also embark on motorized convoy to prevent a breakdown of law and order and to also nip crime in the bud.

At Dubai Road, Junction, Mile 2, the tout were seen controlling traffic. Our correspondent observed that both commercial bus drivers and other road users obeyed their directives.

Policemen have stayed off roads in the state following deadly attacks on officers and stations by hoodlums under the guise of #EndSARS protesters.

Those who also stayed off the roads include officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Neighborhood Security Corp (LSNSC) and men of the state Taskforce on environmental.