The management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority may have some explanations to make following an alleged theft of an impounded excavator worth about N70m by two members of staff.
According to information, an excavator which was impounded about a decade ago, and parked at the headquarters of the agency, went missing during the Sallah holiday when only few workers were on duty.
The missing excavator was discovered on June 10, when staff resumed, thereby generating suspicion because impounded vehicles can only be removed from the yard with proper documentation and authorized signatures on the documents.
Trouble started after effort to locate the missing vehicle was traced to the security department.
A source explained that preliminary findings indicated that a PSP (Private Sector Participant) operator, who owns a tow truck, presented a signed document at the agency’s gate and was granted access to remove the excavator from the premises.
According to a report from Punch Newspaper:
“We found out that a PSP operator (name withheld) who owns a tow vehicle presented a paper at the gate that was signed by the second suspect.”
“On seeing the paper, the PSP operator was allowed to take the equipment out of the LASTMA yard,” the source added.
Further investigation allegedly revealed that the excavator, estimated to be worth at least N70m, was dismantled and sold off as scrap.
While one of the suspects, who reportedly operates towing vehicles on behalf of LASTMA, was interrogated and detained, the second suspect, said to be the one who signed the release document, was neither arrested nor questioned.
“It would be wrong to put all the blame on one person when the suspect who approved the theft was not arrested and detained.
“We believe he’s being protected by powerful interests within the agency,” the source stated.
However ,spokesperson of the agency and other senior officials have declined comments, while panic and tension has grown within the agency.
