In a decisive crackdown aimed at restoring sanity on Lagos roads, the Lagos State Government has sealed the Vaniti Club House, situated along Adeola Odeku Street in Victoria Island, for repeated and willful violations of traffic laws.

The enforcement, carried out by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), was led by the agency’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki. The operation followed months of warnings, sensitisation campaigns, and stakeholder engagement, all of which the club reportedly ignored.

According to LASTMA, Vaniti Club House had become notorious for encouraging illegal roadside parking and obstructing public roadways—actions that violate the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.

“This enforcement initiative is not a one-off occurrence. It marks the beginning of a broader and sustained compliance campaign. We are actively monitoring other clubs, event centres, lounges, and recreational facilities, particularly those that persist in impeding traffic flow by commandeering public roads and adjoining streets for private use,” said Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki.

The state government said the club’s activities had caused severe congestion and safety concerns in one of the city’s busiest commercial districts.

Defiance Despite Multiple Warnings

The club management, according to LASTMA, remained defiant despite numerous warnings and engagements.

“Despite a series of exhaustive sensitization efforts including sustained public enlightenment campaigns, direct stakeholder engagements, and multiple official warnings, the management of Vaniti Club House has remained intransigent,” the government noted in a statement.

Officials confirmed that the closure is indefinite and will remain in place until the club demonstrates full compliance with all traffic regulations and associated safety laws.

Law and Order in the Urban Centre

The Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, explicitly prohibits any form of obstruction that impairs the free movement of vehicles or endangers road users. Violations are considered serious offences and attract legal consequences.

The government reiterated that ensuring traffic order and communal safety remains a top priority as part of its wider vision to develop a functional and livable megacity.

Residents Urged to Report Violators

The public has been encouraged to report other clubs, lounges, or event centres that obstruct roadways or pose public safety risks to the dedicated LASTMA hotline: 0800-00-LASMA (080000527862).

“The Lagos State Government, via LASTMA, reiterates in the strongest terms its zero-tolerance policy toward any person, corporate body, or social enterprise that constitutes an impediment to traffic orderliness or endangers the commuting public,” the statement added.

Looking Ahead

This latest action signals what officials describe as the beginning of a more assertive traffic compliance strategy across the city. Other businesses that fail to align with traffic laws may soon face similar enforcement.

The Lagos State Government says it remains fully committed to ensuring that Lagos becomes a safer, more disciplined, and efficiently regulated urban environment for all.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has issued a stern warning to event centres, nightclubs, lounges, and social gathering organisers in Lagos, calling on them to desist from obstructing public roads during their events or face full legal consequences.

This public notice was delivered by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, during a routine inspection across traffic-prone corridors of the metropolis over the weekend.

Mr. Bakare-Oki expressed concern over the increasing misuse of public roads by event organisers, particularly during evenings and weekends, describing it as a reckless endangerment of public mobility and safety.

“It is both necessary and urgent to reassert, in categorical terms, that no individual, corporate body, or event organisers regardless of stature or affiliation has the prerogative to appropriate public roadways as ancillary extensions of their private ventures or leisure domains,” Bakare-Oki warned.

He added that any venue—be it a club, banquet hall, or lounge—that obstructs traffic by allowing indiscriminate parking, road closures, or encroachment on road shoulders will face immediate punitive measures and prosecution.

Sanwo-Olu’s Government Backs Tougher Enforcement

Bakare-Oki made it clear that the directive is in line with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration’s commitment to restoring order and discipline on Lagos roads.

“Traffic gridlocks arising from unregulated social activities constitute an egregious affront to collective wellbeing and a needless impediment to the city’s economic momentum,” he said.

More Patrols, Stronger Surveillance During Events

To enforce the directive, LASTMA has mandated its Zonal Commanders and Monitoring Units to increase intelligence gathering and deploy more personnel to key areas—especially during weekends, festive periods, and high-traffic events.

The agency is also urging the public to report violations via its toll-free emergency line: 0800-00-LASTMA (080000527862).

Call to Action for Event Hosts and Hospitality Sector

Bakare-Oki called on owners of hospitality establishments to demonstrate civic responsibility by hiring certified traffic managers or creating traffic blueprints in collaboration with LASTMA for events that draw large crowds.

“As Lagos continues to integrate technology into its urban infrastructure transforming transportation, digital governance, and public service delivery, it becomes increasingly imperative for all residents and stakeholders to embrace a culture of discipline, respect for civic order, and responsible use of shared infrastructure,” he added.

Zero-Tolerance Campaign Continues

The General Manager emphasized that the crackdown will be impartial and comprehensive, applying to all violators regardless of social status or affiliation.

“The Lagos State Government remains resolute in its mandate to uphold order, discipline, and equity on the roads,” he said.

He reaffirmed LASTMA’s readiness to collaborate with security agencies and regulatory bodies to enforce the zero-tolerance campaign against road encroachment.

Conclusion: A Safer Lagos for All

LASTMA has appealed to stakeholders in the event management, hospitality, and entertainment sectors to act with integrity by following all traffic guidelines, stressing that their compliance is crucial to building a more orderly and livable Lagos.

The Lagos State Government has launched a rigorous enforcement campaign to clamp down on articulated vehicles defying the existing ban on using the Third Mainland Bridge, impounding over 10 trucks during its opening operation over the weekend.

The government said the move was designed to protect public safety, preserve the structural integrity of one of Nigeria’s most critical bridges, and ensure compliance with traffic laws.

Speaking to journalists during the launch of the exercise, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Honourable Sola Giwa, stated that the enforcement action followed a long period of public sensitization and stakeholder engagement.

“The Third Mainland Bridge is categorically excluded from the list of permissible routes for some articulated vehicles. This restriction is clearly enshrined in the law, and non-compliance will be met with decisive sanctions. Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have begun a full-scale enforcement operation, and defaulters will be apprehended and penalized without exemption,” Hon. Giwa declared.

Tech-Driven Safety Measures

To bolster enforcement efforts and deter violations, the state government has deployed a network of high-definition speed enforcement cameras across the Third Mainland Bridge. These smart surveillance tools are intended to capture traffic violations in real-time and enhance safety monitoring.

“The deployment of these technologically advanced monitoring tools is a critical component of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s broader strategy to entrench road safety, prevent structural fatigue, and engender responsible driving behaviour—particularly on high-risk corridors such as this bridge,” Giwa explained.

Why the Crackdown Matters

The Third Mainland Bridge, a vital artery linking the Lagos Mainland to the Island’s commercial districts, has recently undergone major rehabilitation. Authorities warn that continued misuse by heavy-duty vehicles, particularly those exceeding 9 tonnes, could compromise its structural stability and endanger lives.

Traffic statutes, as issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, prohibit the movement of articulated vehicles across several major bridges during peak hours to ease congestion and avoid stress-induced damage.

“This initiative is not punitive in nature,” said Giwa. “It is a methodical, lawful response calibrated to protect the common good, extend the functional lifespan of public infrastructure, and promote seamless traffic flow across the metropolis.”

Logistics Operators Put on Notice

In a stern warning to operators in the freight and logistics sector, the government urged immediate compliance with designated vehicle routes.

“The period of indulgence is over. Ample sensitization has been undertaken, and the regulatory position is unambiguous. Any truck operator found flouting the prohibition will have their vehicle impounded immediately, and appropriate sanctions will be enforced in line with the law,” Giwa said.

LASTMA has also recalibrated its operational focus to support the new directive, increasing patrols and surveillance on the bridge and its access points.

A Core Part of THEMES+ Agenda

The truck restriction enforcement aligns with Lagos State’s broader development framework, THEMES+, with transportation and traffic management as one of its key pillars. The government emphasized that the policy was introduced to benefit all road users and secure the state’s infrastructure investment.

Members of the public, especially logistics stakeholders, have been urged to cooperate with LASTMA officials and abide by the new restrictions.

“These regulations are fundamentally geared towards the collective wellbeing of all Lagosians,” the government stressed.