Some officials of the Nigeria Customs Service have reportedly unleashed havoc on the Mile 2 office of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, vandalising four vehicles among other valuables, in a bid to release an impounded vehicle.

The PUNCH learnt that a LASTMA official, Musiliu Edu, and a police corporal, Saliu Isiaka, were beaten for recording the incident with their mobile phones.

Another official, Wensu Idowu, was reportedly hospitalised, after he was hit with the butt of a gun in the mouth, while the crisis raged.

Our correspondent learnt that a Honda Pilot, marked, EKY 521 CZ, and belonging to a senior customs official, had been impounded by LASTMA operatives on Tuesday morning.

The driver of the vehicle was said to be driving against traffic at the Coconut area of Mile 2.

An hour after the arrest, the customs officials in a convoy of three patrol vehicles, reportedly stormed the Mile 2 office and started inflicting injuries on LASTMA officials.

In a statement on Sunday, the zonal head, LASTMA, Mr. Victor Adeyanju, said his men were attacked after the customs officials’ demand for the unconditional release of the vehicle was turned down.

He said, “When they came, they were told there was a standard procedure for the release of vehicles.

“This, however, made them angry and they started beating our men, including dragging some of them on the floor. They threatened not to leave the premises without the impounded vehicle.”

It was learnt that it took the intervention of policemen from the FESTAC Police Station to restore normalcy in the area.

While some of the officials reportedly fled the scene, one of the patrol vehicles they brought was said to have been taken to the station.

The impounded jeep was also said to have been deposited at the LASTMA Headquarters in Oshodi.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Babatunde Edu, while confirming the incident, said, “Military and paramilitary agents must see LASTMA officials as partners who are out to ensure sanity on the road.”

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operation Unit, Ikeja, Lagos, Uche Ejesieme, said, “ I have contacted all our patrol teams and its likely that none of them is involved as alleged.

“However, we shall investigate and if actually any of our officers is indicted, the controller will take appropriate steps to sanction such officer. “Like I said earlier, such acts cannot come from FOU A operatives.

Copyright PUNCH.

Elections is coming and APC need money to campaing massivly so lastma must force the people to pay heavily so that tinubu and fashola go see money campaing and buy food.

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