The Lagos State Government has launched a manhunt for the driver responsible for setting a Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officer on fire in the Mile 2 area of the state on Tuesday.

PUNCH Metro reports that LASTMA operatives had accosted the driver for violating traffic regulations but he resisted arrest.

The LASTMA spokesperson, Adebayo Taofiq, who confirmed the incident in a statement noted that in an attempt to evade arrest, the driver poured petrol on his vehicle and some of the LASTMA officers who had stopped him, set the bus on fire and fled the scene.

The incident was said to have caused bodily injuries to the officer after which he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Speaking to The PUNCH correspondent on the telephone on Wednesday, Adebayo explained that concerted efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspects.

He said, “As of the time he set the officer on fire, what was required of us was safety first. That was why he was taken to the hospital. We were also able to pick the registration number of the vehicle. So, serious efforts are ongoing to apprehend the driver and his assistant. The government is working on it and it is not going to relent until justice is done.”

The LASTMA spokesperson however revealed that the condition of the official worsened last night after he was discharged from the hospital.

“He was discharged after being treated yesterday until he started complaining about severe pains at about 3 am. The pain was so much and he was referred back to the hospital,” he said.

Narrating the incident on Tuesday, Adebayo noted that “The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has been made aware of a distressing video showing the driver of a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus, licence plate LSD 355 CK, setting both his vehicle and LASTMA officers ablaze in a brazen attempt to evade arrest.

“The vehicle was intercepted for violating traffic regulations in the Cele inward Mile 2 area.

“In the course of the arrest, the driver and his conductor erupted into a frenzy, resorting to pouring petrol on LASTMA personnel and engaging in hostile confrontations and physical attacks against officers present.”

“The injured LASTMA officer, who sustained severe burns, was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for urgent medical treatment.

“The agency strongly urges all commercial and other drivers to comply fully with traffic regulations and respect the authority of LASTMA personnel. LASTMA will not condone any form of violence or intimidation and will take firm and decisive action against those responsible.

He reiterated the agency’s commitment “to preserving order and ensuring the safety of Lagos roads, as stipulated in the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.”