The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has condemned the use of armed security personnel in traffic enforcement operations, blaming the recent killing of a teenager in Ibadan on such aggressive tactics. The party urged Governor Seyi Makinde to adopt modern technological solutions, as practiced globally, to manage road traffic offenses.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Ibadan and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the Oyo APC described the incident as both “sad and devastating,” criticizing what it termed the unprofessional and unethical behavior of some operatives of the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) and the Park Management System (PMS).
According to the statement, these officials often constitute a menace to motorists and road users across Ibadan and other major cities under the guise of revenue generation for the state government.
“The killing of the innocent schoolboy by an overzealous policeman in Ibadan on Tuesday was not only unfortunate but deeply saddening,” Sadare stated. “To make matters worse, the response from the state government, reportedly issued by the Governor’s media team, unfairly placed the blame solely on the victim’s father, adding insult to injury.”
The party criticized the state government for allegedly failing in its responsibility to safeguard the lives of citizens, arguing that deploying gun-wielding officers to enforce traffic laws exposes residents to unnecessary danger.
“In civilized societies, issues of traffic violations are handled through the use of CCTV cameras and other advanced technology,” the APC said. “But in Oyo State, government agents prefer to chase after motorists with guns while bandits and kidnappers operate with little resistance in rural areas like Iwajowa, Akinyele, Oluyole, Ibarapa North, Saki East, Oriire, and Oyo West.”
Sadare also raised concerns over the conduct of certain OYRTMA, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO), and PMS personnel, accusing them of harassing drivers and worsening the situation daily.
The APC called for an independent investigation into the Tuesday incident by the Inspector General of Police and the federal government to ensure justice for the victim, identified as Kehinde Alade. The party also advised Governor Makinde to collaborate with technology experts to adopt a more humane and efficient approach to traffic management.
“It’s time for the Makinde administration to embrace innovation rather than intimidation,” the statement concluded.
