Three policemen, one Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) official, one Lagos State Traffic Management Commission (LASTMA) official and 14 touts have been arrested for allegedly extorting motorists on Lagos highways.
The suspects were said to have been caught in the act in the Mile 2 area of Lagos by a special team created by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, Mr. Idowu Owohunwa on Saturday, 5th of August, 2023.
It was gathered that the arrested officers had been in the business of extorting private and commercial drivers with the assistance of the social miscreants for a long time.
It was further alleged that, many of the victims had made complaints to the Commissioner of Police.
Determined to checkmate the escalating cases of extortion on the highway, Owohunwa, set up an enforcement team with the mandate of raiding spots that have been identified as notorious for such activities.
The Special Fo team is headed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operation to tackle the menace.
Owohunwa decided to embark on the operation following reports of extortion of truck drivers and other motorists by thugs and some recalcitrant law enforcement officers.
Confirming the arrest, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin said: “The enforcement team which commenced raids yesterday was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) and comprises tactical teams and provost officers from the state headquarters.
“The team was at Mile 2 area of the state-a hotbed for the brazen extortionists.
“A total of 14 thugs were arrested in the act while three police officers, one FRSC, and one LASTMA personnel were also arrested for being in cahoots with the touts.”
It was gathered that following the arrest, Owohunwa warned that any law enforcement personnel, irrespective of agency, found complicit in this extortion racketeering would not be spared as they would be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The CP has promised Lagosians, especially motorists that the newly set-up enforcement team would sustain the raids and definitely replicate them in other parts of the state where the same issues exist until total sanity is restored.
