Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service seizes over 200 vehicles for failing safety test

  The Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) has seized more than 200 vehicles deemed unroadworthy across major routes in the state, a...

 The Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS) has seized more than 200 vehicles deemed unroadworthy across major routes in the state, as part of a robust campaign aimed at enhancing public safety and reducing the growing number of preventable road accidents.

Mr. Akin-George Fashola, the Director of Lagos VIS, confirmed this in a statement issued on Sunday, underscoring that the operation was a concerted effort to remove vehicles that pose significant risks to commuters and other road users from Lagos roads.

The statement, signed by Mrs. Bolanle Ogunlola, Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, revealed that the large-scale enforcement drive spanned several days, with a particular focus on commercial minibuses, especially Danfos and Korope vehicles, which have long been associated with safety violations.

“The operation is not limited to private vehicles, as is commonly assumed, but extends to all categories of vehicles that contribute to the state’s transport ecosystem,” Fashola explained.

He further emphasised that while many motorists believe enforcement targets only private cars, commercial vehicle operators must also recognise their responsibility to meet safety standards before transporting passengers.

“All vehicle owners, particularly those intending to use their vehicles for commercial purposes, are urged to ensure their vehicles meet the required roadworthy standards. Before putting your vehicle into commercial use, make sure it is fit for the road. You can also bring it to any of our annex offices for a proper inspection before putting it on the road,” Fashola advised.

Fashola reiterated the VIS’s commitment to reducing traffic accidents caused by poorly maintained vehicles and confirmed that the inspection service would intensify routine checks across the state.

He called on transport unions, commercial drivers, and fleet operators to work closely with the agency by voluntarily presenting vehicles for inspection and adhering strictly to safety regulations.

This recent enforcement aligns with the Lagos State Government’s broader objective of creating a safer, more efficient transport system, where mobility does not come at the expense of human lives.