The leadership of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is facing criticism due to an alleged effort to conceal the theft of an impounded excavator valued at approximately ₦70 million by two employees.
Naijaonpoint understands that the event, which took place on June 10, has caused turmoil within the agency, with numerous staff members accusing senior management of protecting one of the individuals implicated.
The PUNCH quoted sources, who requested to remain anonymous due to the delicate nature of the situation, as having disclosed that the missing excavator had been stored at LASTMA’s headquarters for more than ten years after it was reportedly seized.
Nevertheless, the situation became apparent after employees returned to work following the Sallah holiday and discovered that the equipment was missing.
“That excavator was impounded over 10 years ago,” a source familiar with the matter told journalists on Thursday on condition of anonymity.
The source added, “Such vehicles are only removed after proper documentation and approval. But when we returned from the Sallah break, we noticed it was no longer there.”
The source explained that preliminary findings indicated that a PSP (Private Sector Participant) operator, who owns a tow truck, presented a signed document at the agency’s gate and was granted access to remove the excavator from the premises.
“We found out that a PSP operator (name withheld) who owns a tow vehicle presented a paper at the gate that was signed by the second suspect.”
“On seeing the paper, the PSP operator was allowed to take the equipment out of the LASTMA yard,” the source added.
Subsequent inquiries purportedly uncovered that the excavator, valued at a minimum of ₦70 million, had been disassembled and sold as scrap metal.
Although one of the suspects, who is said to operate towing vehicles for LASTMA, was questioned and taken into custody, the second suspect, identified as the individual who signed the release document, was neither apprehended nor interrogated.
“It would be wrong to put all the blame on one person when the suspect who approved the theft was not arrested and detained.
“We believe he’s being protected by powerful interests within the agency,” the source stated.
When contacted over the matter, the agency’s spokesperson, Taofeek Adebayo, he introduced an Assistant General Manager of LASTMA to journalists, but both officials declined to comment further on the incident and alleged cover-up.
“What I will say is this: The (LASTMA) management will respond at the appropriate time. In my capacity, I cannot give you any information,” the unnamed AGM reportedly told The PUNCH on Thursday.
When pressed for a response regarding the agency’s silence, he merely replied, “We will get back to you,” before concluding the call. As of the time of this report, he had not followed up with our correspondent.
Despite attempts to reach the General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare Oki-Olalekan, on Thursday, there was no response. However, Bolanle Ogunlola, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Transport, informed our correspondent that the agency was most qualified to respond to the allegation.
“I think you should try to speak with the GM of LASTMA. He may have information about it,” Ogunlola advised.