As Lagos prepares for the annual cross-over night celebrations, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has issued a stern and unequivocal warning to motorists and event organizers: a policy of zero tolerance for unlawful parking and road obstruction will be strictly enforced. This declaration comes as the agency activates a major operational plan to manage the unique traffic challenges of the night.
In a detailed statement released on Sunday, December 28, 2025, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, outlined the significant risks posed by the festive surge in activities. The cross-over night, marking the transition into the New Year, is characterized by a convergence of religious services, street carnivals, nightclub events, and spontaneous roadside celebrations. This creates a perfect storm for gridlock, as vehicular and pedestrian volumes spike, often exacerbated by poorly coordinated events that spill onto public thoroughfares.
“While we fully recognise the cultural, religious, and communal significance of these celebrations,” Bakare-Oki stated, “the conversion of public roads into improvised parking lots or informal event venues constitutes an egregious violation. These acts have far-reaching implications beyond mere inconvenience—they directly threaten public safety, hinder emergency service response times, and cripple the city’s mobility.”
What Constitutes “Unlawful Parking” and Obstruction?
The warning specifically targets several high-impact violations:
- Abandoning vehicles on carriageways, road shoulders, or medians: This reduces active traffic lanes, creating bottlenecks and increasing the risk of collisions.
- Blocking pedestrian walkways and critical access routes: This forces pedestrians onto the road, endangering their lives and further disrupting traffic flow.
- Unauthorized blocking of highways and inner roads by carnival or street party organizers without prior approval from authorities.
- Obstruction around key convergence points like places of worship, markets, nightclubs, and event centres.
LASTMA’s Activated Operational Framework
To preempt these challenges, LASTMA has deployed a reinforced, multi-layered strategy under its new “LASTMA 24-Hour Night Gangs” initiative. This is not a routine deployment but a specialized response designed for high-density nocturnal events. The plan includes:
- Strategic Deployment at Flashpoints: Trained officers will be stationed at historically problematic intersections and areas near major venues.
- Rapid Response Units & Surveillance Teams: Mobile teams will patrol corridors to identify and swiftly clear blockages before they cause widespread congestion.
- Strict Sanctions: Offenders will face penalties in strict compliance with Lagos State traffic laws, with no exceptions for the festive period. This may include towing and fines.
The overarching goal is to ensure seamless vehicular mobility and rigorously enforce regulations throughout the night.
A Call for Shared Responsibility
Bakare-Oki emphasized that managing cross-over night traffic is a shared civic duty. He made direct appeals to key stakeholders:
- Religious Institutions, Event Centres & Club Operators: To provide adequate off-road parking and implement internal traffic control measures (e.g., ushers to direct patron parking).
- Event Organizers: To seek lawful authorization and coordinate with LASTMA for any planned road closures or large gatherings.
- Residents and Visitors: To exercise patience, plan routes ahead of time, use designated parking areas, and cooperate fully with traffic officials on the ground.
This proactive and detailed advisory from LASTMA serves as a crucial guide for anyone participating in the night’s festivities. The message is clear: celebration should not come at the cost of safety, order, and the collective right to free movement. By adhering to these guidelines, Lagos can usher in the New Year with minimal disruption and maximum safety for all.
Source: NAN News. Edited by Chinyere Omeire.
