The Lagos State Government has announced its intention to prosecute 11 suspects apprehended at the Ibeju-Lekki junction and Akodo area for allegedly extorting residents and motorists. The decision to pursue legal action against the suspects aims to deter others from engaging in similar illicit activities across the state.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, condemned the actions of the suspects who purportedly posed as enforcement officers to extort unsuspecting individuals. He reiterated the government’s firm stance on zero tolerance for extortion and emphasized that no one is authorized to collect money on behalf of local governments on Lagos streets.
Musa emphasized the government’s commitment to upholding the law and ensuring the safety and well-being of residents. He warned individuals engaging in such unlawful practices that they would be apprehended and brought to justice.
Highlighting the illegality of deploying personnel for revenue collection on highways, Musa cited the Lagos State Road Traffic Law, Section 18, 2018, which grants exclusive authority to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for such operations. He urged residents to report any issues they encounter rather than succumbing to extortion attempts.
This announcement comes in the wake of previous arrests made by the Lagos State Government in March 2023, where four suspected hoodlums were apprehended in the Amuwo-Odofin area while attempting to extort motorists. The government remains resolute in its efforts to combat extortion and maintain law and order on the streets of Lagos.