It’s time to rein in the Lagos task force on one-way driving

Lagos is trying to position itself as a modern, future-ready city, with an increasing focus on infrastructure and traffic management. However, one of its most aggressive enforcement strategies, cracking down on one-way driving, has become deeply controversial, raising serious questions about fairness, proportionality and public trust.

Driving against traffic, commonly called “one-way”, is undeniably dangerous. It contributes to head-on collisions and worsens congestion in an already strained transportation system. To curb this, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Crimes Unit, in collaboration with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and Mobile Courts, has adopted a zero tolerance approach. Vehicles are seized, violators are swiftly prosecuted and, in many cases, cars are confiscated from the state.

However, what began as a necessary security intervention is now widely perceived as excessive and, in some cases, predatory.

Frustration is growing throughout the city. Viral videos, social media posts and first-hand accounts suggest a troubling pattern: sudden vehicle seizures, alleged entrapment, midnight tows and on-the-spot “deals” that many describe as extortion. For countless Lagosians, Uber drivers, traders, artisans and small business owners, losing a vehicle is not just an inconvenience; it is a direct hit to their livelihood.

At the heart of the issue is a growing disconnect between the law and its enforcement. The Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Act 2018 prescribes stiff penalties for one-way driving, including possible imprisonment and vehicle confiscation. While the intent is deterrent, enforcement often appears indiscriminate. First-time offenders and those who make honest mistakes sometimes face the same harsh consequences as repeat offenders.

This raises a fundamental question: Does enforcement ensure safety or simply increase public resentment?

Poor road signs have exacerbated the problem. In many parts of Lagos, one-way indicators are missing, faded or poorly placed. Drivers who travel unfamiliar routes or rely on GPS systems that do not reflect sudden changes in traffic may unknowingly violate traffic rules. When such mistakes result in severe penalties, enforcement begins to feel less like justice and more like a trap. This adds to worrying allegations of selective enforcement.

The human cost is equally significant. A driver who loses a vehicle loses income and, by extension, the ability to pay rent, school fees, or even feed a family. Stories abound of individuals trapped in lengthy and opaque legal processes, struggling to recover impounded vehicles or understand the charges against them. Some seized vehicles were even auctioned off. In such circumstances, enforcement ceases to be corrective and becomes punitive.

None of this diminishes the very real dangers of one-way driving. The streets of Lagos are among the busiest in Africa and careless behavior can have fatal consequences. Strong enforcement is required. But enforcement without transparency, proportionality and preventive measures risks compromising its purpose.

The way forward is not to abandon enforcement, but to reform it, making it smarter, fairer and more focused on prevention.

First and foremost, Lagos must prioritize clear and consistent road signs. Each one-way route should be marked with visible, reflective signs at all entry points. Digital displays and adequate night lighting should become standard. Integrating official traffic data with navigation apps would also help drivers make informed decisions. When road users clearly understand the restrictions, compliance naturally improves.

Second, the state government should consider a bold confidence-building measure: the return of vehicles seized for one-way violations in the last year, particularly in cases involving first-time or non-careless offenders. Such a step would recognize the excesses of the current system, restore livelihoods and signal a commitment to equity. It would also help restore the relationship between law enforcement and the public. Good faith.

Third, renewed investment in driver education is necessary. The application alone cannot change behavior. Regular public awareness campaigns, mandatory refresher courses for license renewals and stricter regulation of driving schools are essential. Road safety education should also be introduced at school level, building a culture of compliance from an early age.

In addition to these fundamental reforms, further guarantees are needed. Task force officers should be equipped with body cameras to ensure accountability. Mobile court proceedings should be transparent and, where possible, recorded. Sanctions should be graduated, distinguishing between deliberate imprudence and genuine error.

Independent monitoring mechanisms, including civil society participation, would further increase credibility.

Ultimately, the issue reflects broader challenges in urban governance. Lagos is a city of immense energy and ambition, but also of increasing pressure on infrastructure and public systems. The enforcement of traffic laws must evolve in step with these realities, balancing discipline and fairness.

Lagosians are not against the order; they oppose injustice. They want safer streets, but they also want a system that respects their dignity and their livelihoods. An application seen as arbitrary or exploitative will only fuel resistance and mistrust.

The Lagos State Government now has the opportunity to recalibrate. By improving signage, restoring impounded vehicles where appropriate and investing in education, enforcement can be transformed from a source of conflict into a tool for collective progress.

The goal should be clear: safer streets achieved through partnership, not fear. Lagos deserves nothing less.