Nigerians witnessed a dramatic scene on Tuesday when an angry commercial vehicle driver torched his bus and an official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority in a bid to escape arrest.

Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Lighting Department of LASTMA, confirmed the development in a statement on X.

According to a viral video, an affected LASTMA officer was seen badly burnt after the incident while others ran for safety.

According to LASTMA, the incident took place in the Cele area, towards Mila 2, after the police intercepted the bus for violating traffic rules.

“The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) is aware of a disturbing video showing the driver of a Volkswagen T4 commercial bus with number plate LSD 355 CK setting fire to both his vehicle and LASTMA officers in a blatant attempt to evade arrest.

“This shocking incident occurred today, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, when the driver resisted arrest with extreme aggression by LASTMA officials.

“The vehicle had been intercepted for violating the traffic rules in the Mila 2 area inside Cele.

“In the course of the arrest, the driver and his conductor became violent, pouring petrol on LASTMA personnel and engaging in hostile confrontations and physical attacks against the officers present.

“The injured LASTMA officer who suffered severe burns was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for emergency medical treatment,” the Lagos-based government agency said.

The driver set himself on fire in Lagos just so he could burn himself with LASTMA guys who wanted to arrest him and confiscate his vehicle illegally.

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— Oxygist (@oxygist) November 5, 2024