Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Monday issued a strong warning to those bent on attacking law enforcement agents, saying harsh punishment awaits them.

The governor gave the warning on Monday at the residence of the late Ola Ganiyu Oyeshina, the slain officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), who died last Saturday after he was attacked by two trailer drivers in Sifax, Iganmu area of Apapa.

The late Oyeshina, 33, hailed from Osun State and was said to be an orphan.

Sanwo-Olu led a delegation comprising his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, and members of the State Executive Council, on a condolence visit to the late Oyeshina’s family house on Oni Street in Surulere.

The governor described the attack on the LASTMA officer as “mindless and callous”, saying the government would “thoroughly prosecute” the arrested culprits to send a clear signal to those taking penchant in attacking law enforcement agents in the line of duty.

He wondered why some members of the public would take pride in brutalising those working to make the society better and safe. He vowed to make Lagos inhabitable for those inclined to disobeying the State’s traffic laws.

He said:

“This is a very sad development. We have lost a fine officer and gentleman, who was a victim of unnecessary attack in the line of duty. It is sad that our society has gotten to a level where people that commit their lives lawfully to helping us to live in a better society become victims of mindless brutality.

“As a government, we are sending a strong signal to say enough is enough. In the last 48 hours, there has been heavy brutality on LASTMA officers while carrying out tasks assigned to them by the government. We will not stop implementing our laws. We will do everything to ensure the perpetrators of this evil act are brought to book and get harsh punishment.”

The governor advised residents to be law-abiding and engage security operatives with respect. He said the death of the LASTMA officer would not deter the State’s officials in carrying out their statutory duties.

Sanwo-Olu and his deputy personally met with the victim’s aged foster parents, Pa Oyewole Fashola and Mrs. Muslimat Fashola, and the rest of the family members.

Mrs Fashola, who raised the deceased from the age 10 years old, said the death of late Oyeshina had put the family in shame, pleading with the Governor punish the perpetrators.