Rescue, Monitoring Team of NARTO Appreciate Stakeholders, Recounts Rescue Missions, Solicits Members’ Greater Commitment

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos

The Rescue and Monitoring Team of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Lagos State Chapter, has expressed appreciation to key stakeholders for their support, while recounting its extensive rescue operations and calling for renewed commitment from members.

Speaking on behalf of the team, Alhaji Ayinla Kamaldeen, Deputy State Chairman (2) of NARTO and a prominent member of the Rescue and Monitoring Team, said the unit was established in August 2024 under the leadership of the Lagos State Chairman, Alhaji Kayode Odunowo, whom he commended for his foresight and commitment to members’ welfare.

According to Kamaldeen, the Rescue and Monitoring Team successfully carried out over 1,000 rescue operations in 2025, assisting NARTO members whose trucks encountered challenges across Lagos State and other parts of the country, including Niger, Plateau, Ogun, Oyo, Abuja, Kogi and Kwara states.

He highlighted a recent operation in Niger State where a delegation of the team, led by the Rescue Operations Chairman, Alhaji Ayinde Kasali, alongside Alhaji Rasheed Iyanda and Alhaji Rasaq Adekunle Abayawo, successfully recovered three trucks belonging to NARTO members. He said the operation underscored the team’s commitment to ensuring that no member is abandoned in times of difficulty.

Kamaldeen also acknowledged the support of the NARTO National leadership, including the National President, Deputy National President, the South-West Zonal Chairman, and State Chairmen across the country, describing their encouragement as instrumental to the team’s success.

He further commended the cooperation of government authorities and regulatory agencies, including the Lagos State Government under Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa; the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Logistics and Transportation, Hon. Hassan Adekoya.

Other agencies acknowledged include the Nigeria Police Force in Lagos State, led by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Fayoade Adegoke, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood; the Nigerian Ports Authority and port managers; the Nigeria Customs Service at the ports and the Federal Operations Unit, Ikeja; Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, General Manager, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA); Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, Lagos Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); the Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS); Cdr. Elias Omonayajo of the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE); and the Lagos State Committee on Abandoned Vehicles.

Kamaldeen noted that the support of these agencies has helped resolve numerous challenges faced by NARTO members, particularly in cases of truck breakdowns at ports and on major corridors, thereby improving operational efficiency.

He also praised the association’s legal team, led by Barrister Sulaiman Salami and Barrister Asimimiyu Ayodeji, for safeguarding members’ interests through timely legal interventions.

Looking ahead to 2026, the NARTO Rescue and Monitoring Team appealed for deeper collaboration with stakeholders to further enhance the ease of doing business for members nationwide. Kamaldeen assured members of the team’s continued commitment to rescue operations, engagement with regulatory bodies, and advocacy on their behalf.

He urged NARTO members to properly identify their vehicles with the 2026 NARTO stickers and to remain financially and morally committed to the association. He also advised members to adhere strictly to approved ticket rates, stressing that only the NARTO ticket of N1,000 and the Lagos State ticket of N3,000 are payable, and that all ticketing should be conducted at designated garages and parks.

Kamaldeen further encouraged members to promptly report challenges to the Rescue and Monitoring Team to enable swift intervention.
He concluded with prayers for the association, seeking prosperity, divine protection for members and their assets, and an accident-free year in 2026.