The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has come under scrutiny following allegations that its leadership attempted to conceal the theft of an excavator valued at approximately N70 million. The heavy-duty equipment had been seized and kept at the agency’s headquarters for over a decade.

According to sources within the agency, the excavator was discovered missing when staff returned to work after the Sallah holiday on June 10. The revelation has reportedly stirred internal unrest, with some employees accusing top-level officials of shielding one of the individuals implicated in the theft.

An insider, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the case, revealed that the excavator was taken from LASTMA’s yard using falsified documentation.

“That machine had been there for over ten years. Normally, no vehicle leaves the yard without proper documentation and official approval,” the source explained. “But after the holiday, it was simply gone.”

Initial investigations reportedly traced the removal to a Private Sector Participant (PSP) operator, who owns a tow truck. The operator allegedly presented a document signed by a LASTMA official—identified as the second suspect in the case—to security personnel at the gate, which allowed him to remove the excavator.

Further findings suggest the excavator was dismantled and sold off as scrap metal. While one suspect—believed to be the tow vehicle operator working under LASTMA—was arrested and questioned, the second suspect who authorized the release has not been detained, raising suspicions of internal protection.

“It’s unjust to detain only one suspect while the individual who signed off on the theft walks free,” another source claimed. “We believe someone in authority is shielding him.”

When contacted for comment, LASTMA spokesperson Taofeek Adebayo redirected inquiries to an unnamed Assistant General Manager (AGM), who declined to address the issue, stating, “The management will respond at the appropriate time. I am not in a position to speak.”

Despite further attempts to get clarification, the AGM ended the call with, “We will get back to you,” but had not followed up as of the time of filing this report.

Efforts to reach LASTMA General Manager Bakare Oki-Olalekan were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Bolanle Ogunlola, spokesperson for the Lagos State Ministry of Transport, directed all inquiries back to LASTMA, saying, “You should speak with the GM of LASTMA. He may be able to provide more information.”