Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) impounded 123 vehicles for illegal parking and operating in illegal garages around bridges across Lagos Island.

A statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of the Agency, Adebayo Taofiq, on Wednesday, March 6, said the General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who led the enforcement team, disclosed that the exercise was carried out based on the directive of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa.

According to Bakare-Oki, the 123 vehicles were impounded around Ebute-Ero by Idumota Bridge, Simpson Bridge, Apongbon under Bridge and Elegbata area of Lagos Island after several warnings issued to both private and commercial bus drivers to stop indiscriminate parking and illegal garages around bridges were ignored.

He said, “It was nauseating seeing these private and commercial bus drivers constituting public nuisance by parking at free will around bridges thereby causing avoidable gridlock and inconvenience to other motorists and road users using these bridges to link up with other parts of the state.

“We will continue to ensure free flow of traffic by scaling up our enforcement and clampdown on these stubborn private and commercial bus drivers.”

Meanwhile, 19 hoodlums were arrested during an enforcement operation over illegal collection of parking dues from innocent motorists, according to the statement.

Investigation revealed that the arrested hoodlums had impersonated approved government agents with fake identity cards to extort innocent motorists including illegal traders who sell by roadside.

The General Manager disclosed that drivers of the impounded vehicles and the arrested hoodlums would be prosecuted at the Lagos State Mobile Court for contravening the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.