LASTMA’s Fallen Heroes’ Families Get 40m

The Lagos State Government has supported families of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) personnel, who died in active service with N40 million.

The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, said this at the LASTMA’s financial presentation ceremony in honour of its heroes and heroines, on Wednesday.

According to Giwa, on July 15, 2025, during LASTMA at 25 anniversary, the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu was deeply moved as he listened to experiences, challenges, hazards, and sacrifices of officers.

He said the governor was moved that these defined the everyday work of LASTMA officers.

“The governor said something profound that day, that in traffic management, the greatest victories are often unseen, and the greatest praises unsung.

“The governor graciously approved that the families of our personnel, who died in active service be supported with N2,000,000 each but not as payment for their loss.

“This is because, no value can equal the price of a life but as a tangible expression of state recognition for duty, courage, and sacrifice,” he said.

Musa noted that the gathering is to fulfill the commitment, as the paperwork and due process had now been completed.

He appreciated the support and cooperation of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, the Special Adviser on Transportation, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, and the general manager of LASTMA for achieving the aim.

He also appreciated families of the fallen heroes for giving their fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and children. who chose service over comfort; who chose Lagos over themselves.

“Your pain is deeply acknowledged, and their sacrifice will not be forgotten.

“To our current LASTMA personnel, you remain a critical backbone of the Lagos traffic ecosystem. Day and night, rain and harmattan, you carry a burden many do not see.

“Mr governor remains committed to your welfare, institutional strengthening, and continued reforms, as we build a safer, more efficient, and more humane traffic management system for over 20 million Lagos residents,” he said.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olawale Musa, said the ones celebrated today were indeed heroes, who had sacrificed their lives in the cause of duty.

According to Musa, there is nothing that can be given to replace lives of the fallen heroes but to console the bereaved for their loss.

“As of last year, 17 LASTMA officers died and this is to show the kind of danger and challenge they face on the road.

“We have people who do not recognise the activities of officers a lot of time but its only when they misbehave that we complain but they face challenges on a daily basis.

“We have cases of LASTMA officer that was stoned in Apapa and even one that was crushed to death by a trailer, they are human,” he said.

Earlier, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, noted that the gathering was to honour the memories of colleagues, who lost their lives, and to stand in solidarity with the families they left behind.

“We are gathered here with deep respect and humility to our late colleagues and for the families present here today, we acknowledge your pain, loss, and the strength it has taken you all to be with us here today.

He noted that as an organisation entrusted with traffic management and road safety, LASTMA recognised the weight of the responsibility to protect lives on the road.

“This engagement reaffirms our commitment to learning, improving, and working together to prevent future tragedies.

“It also represents our resolve to engage, listen, and support those most affected and we hope that this programme provides a space for comfort, reflection, and meaningful dialogue.

“It will also strengthen our collective determination to promote safer roads across Lagos state,” he said.

The 20 families benefited from the support.