Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Onikan, Adamu Ibrahim has warned officers of the Nigeria Police in Lagos state to stop harassing traffic officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Ibrahim said this during the courtesy visit to his Onikan office by the management of LASTMA, saying policemen were trained professionals that must obey and respect law of the state.

He warned that any police officer caught violating the traffic laws, driving on the BRT dedicated corridor, intimidating or harassing LASTMA officials should be reported for necessary sanction.

Adamu assured traffic officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) of continued police support and cooperation in the traffic control and implementation of the Lagos state traffic laws.

The visit to the AIG was in continuation of the effort of the agency to improve relationship between Nigerian Police and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).

Speaking during the visit, the Chief Executive Officer of LASTMA, AIG Chris Olakpe Retired said the visit was to develop synergy and bridge the gap between the agency and Nigerian Police.

According to him, the agency was out to promote cordial relationship and clear all the grey area of misunderstanding between the two agencies, in order to have harmonious working relationship for the overall progress and development of Lagos state.

He said the police support and cooperation were crucial to the successful implementation of the state traffic laws, calling for the protection of LASTMA officials on duty across the state, as this will give them more impetus to perform and serve motorists and commuters better on the road.

Olakpe expressed satisfaction with the conduct and discipline of policemen on the roads and urged them to do more for orderliness to be sustained permanently on Lagos roads.

He advised officers of the Police X-Squad to always make a recourse to the agency whenever traffic officials were found wanting on duty, and assured that such official will be dealt with in accordance with the extant laws of the agency and civil service regulations.

In his own contribution, the general manager of LASTMA, Olawale Musa called for more police back-up and protection for the agency, frowning at instances where police officers will drive on dedicated BRT corridor.

He further called for more protection and support for traffic officials to manage traffic all the time in some parts of the state.

The meeting was attended by the Lagos state commissioner of police, Fatai Owoseni, commissioners of police in charge of railways, marine, airports and other security heads and officials.

This visit was part of the efforts of LASTMA to promote good working relationship with other security agencies in the state. It would be recalled that the agency has paid similar visit to other security formations in the state.