The management of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has come under fire over an alleged attempt to cover up the theft of an impounded excavator worth about N70m by two members of staff.
Chronicle NG learnt from insiders on Thursday that the incident, which occurred on June 10, has thrown the agency into confusion, with several staff members accusing top management of shielding one of the suspects involved.
According to officials who requested anonymity due to the delicate nature of the matter, the missing excavator had been stored inside LASTMA’s headquarters for more than a decade after it was allegedly impounded.
However, the event was discovered when personnel returned to work after the Sallah vacation and noticed the equipment was missing.
“That excavator was impounded over 10 years ago,” a source familiar with the matter told reporters while speaking on the condition of anonymity.
The insider added, “Such vehicles are only removed after proper documentation and approval. But when we returned from the Sallah break, we noticed it was no longer there.”
According to early investigations, a PSP (Private Sector Participant) operator, who owns a tow truck, presented a signed document at the agency’s gate and was permitted to remove the excavator off the grounds.
“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 inquiry allegedly found that the excavator, estimated to be valued at least N70 million, was disassembled and sold as scrap.
While one of the suspects, who allegedly operates towing vehicles on behalf of LASTMA, was interrogated and jailed, the second suspect, who is supposed to have signed the release certificate, was not arrested or 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.
