E-M-B-A-R-A-S-S-M-E-N-T : Lagos Task Force Nab Violent Extortionists/ Touts Masquerading As Oshodi Local Government Traffic Officers.

Three alleged Notorious Touts and extortionists operating within oshodi local government Area of Lagos State, impersonating officials,  whose stock in  trade is to accost, harrass and embarrass  Private car drivers , with a view to forcefully collect illegal traffic offences fine for uncommitted breaches of the laws,  have landed into the dragnet  of  the  Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce).  

It was learnt that the three arrested  suspects and other fleeing members of the syndicate,posing as Local Government Traffic officers,  have been  extorting motorists in Oshodi for a very long time unhindered.  The suspects, who claimed they are working with Oshodi – Isolo Local Government,  were arrested this afternoon,  Wednesday, June 2nd,  2021, on the orders of the Chairman, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, CSP Shola Jejeloye after receiving complaints from some of their victims. The suspects arrested are 52 years old Samuel Oyegbule , Olayiwola Thomas , 53 years and Kola Taiwo 47 years.  

They were alleged to have yesterday extorted N25,000:00 from one of their victims for obstruction. Another victim equally alleged he was extorted of the same amount the previous day. According to the first victim who does not want his name mentioned in the press, “they walked up to my vehicle while waiting for traffic light in Oyetayo Street. They knocked on my side glass and I wound down to listen to them. They said I have committed a traffic offence and I was forced to Oshodi – Isolo Local Government Secretariat, Oshodi, where I was made to cough up N25,000 as fine”. 

The second victim, a bolt driver, said “I was arrested for dropping my client in front of his house in the inner street of Oshodi. It wasn’t a major road or expressway or where there are bus stops. They refused to listen to my explanation.

They fined me N25,000. The victims alleged that the suspects select vehicles they know can pay their charges before arresting them in trumped charges and forcing them to Local Government headquarters to make payment. 

“They also brought into the same place several other vehicles arrested in the same manner like mine and they were made to pay as well as. Some of them were made to pay a higher amount”, one of the victims added. In a press statement signed by the  Head, Public Affairs Unit of the Agency,  Mr. Femi Moliki, he said that his  Chairman has Warned other touts and persons who illegally issue tickets to motorists on Public roads and streets.

“CSP Jejeloye noted that Taskforce would continue with the arrest of miscreants posing as council officials to extort road users.” “I have received a lot of complaints and we have taken time to analyse them. We have made our findings too. Lagos State Government would not tolerate such excesses”, he added.