The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), has expressed concern about worrying surge in road accidents involving dispatch riders and commercial motorcyclists, saying the trend is becoming a major threat to road safety across the metropolis.
The warning came during a strategic road safety and regulatory stakeholders’ engagement organised by LASTMA for courier and dispatch operators in Lagos, held at the agency’s headquarters in Oshodi under the theme “Ride Smart, Stay Alive.”
The engagement brought together courier companies, security agencies, transport unions, road safety experts and government representatives to explore practical ways of reducing crashes and improving compliance among riders operating within the state’s high-density traffic network.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olasukanmi Ojowuro said the growing number of traffic violations and fatal crashes involving dispatch riders made urgent intervention necessary.
He stressed that traffic laws are not punitive but protective, designed to safeguard lives and ensure smoother traffic flow across Lagos’ heavily congested roads.
LASTMA Flags Over 860 Crash Victims Rescued in 2025
LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, described dispatch riders as critical players in Lagos’ fast-moving logistics economy, noting their importance in sustaining goods and services distribution across the state.
However, he revealed alarming statistics showing that over 862 crash victims linked to road incidents involving dispatch riders were rescued by the agency in 2025 alone.
He also disclosed that 16,641 vehicles were impounded for various offences including reckless driving, obstruction, overloading and mechanical faults highlighting the broader scale of traffic indiscipline in the state.
According to LASTMA, several major corridors have recorded repeated incidents involving dispatch riders, including Eko Bridge, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Otedola Bridge axis, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, and railway crossing points around Ikeja.
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These locations, described as high-risk corridors, continue to account for a significant share of accidents involving commercial riders navigating Lagos’ intense traffic environment.
Bakare-Oki identified multiple behavioural and operational factors driving the rising crash rate. These include reckless overtaking, driving against traffic, traffic light violations, poor motorcycle maintenance, use of mobile phones while riding, and failure to use safety gear.
He also pointed to fatigue caused by long working hours and intense delivery deadlines as a growing but often overlooked risk factor.
“Dispatch riders operate under enormous commercial pressure to meet stringent delivery timelines, often navigating difficult traffic conditions for prolonged hours,” he noted.
He warned that every avoidable crash represents a failure of responsibility across the system, from operators to individual riders.
Police Call for Stronger Regulation and Training
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, urged courier companies to introduce structured safety training, proper rider documentation, and stronger monitoring systems to improve accountability in the sector.
He emphasised the need for dispatch riders to remain security-conscious while carrying out daily operations across the state, given the dual risks of road crashes and security threats in urban logistics movements.
The engagement featured interactive sessions, safety lectures and technical discussions aimed at improving operational standards within the dispatch and courier sector.
Participants praised LASTMA for what they described as a timely intervention, noting that rising urban delivery demand must be matched with stronger safety enforcement and rider education.
Agencies represented at the event included the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), LASEMA, NDLEA, LASAMBUS, Lagos Traffic Radio, Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), SEHMU, Lagos State Drivers’ Institute, LAMATA, LBSL, Lagos State Task Force, Command and Control Centre, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.