The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed the arrest of Bamidele Omotutu, a fake traffic officer, for extorting unwary members of the public, including traffic offenders in the state.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Director of Public Affairs Department, LASTMA, Taofiq Adebayo, said the agency’s General Manager, Bolaji Oreagba, confirmed that the suspect was apprehended by a LASTMA Monitoring/Surveillance team led by the Zonal Head, Ashafa Moyosore, on Olu Holloway Road, around the Alfred Rewane area of Ikoyi.
Adebayo stated that Oreagba further claimed that the agency conducted special monitoring/surveillance operations on the suspect and detained him in response to complaints from members of the public, Obinna Kingsley and Adewusi Adebola, via LASTMA hotlines/social media handles.
The statement read, “Investigation conducted revealed that the arrested suspect has been extorting huge sums of money from motorists for various traffic offences ranging from the seatbelt, obstructions, illegal overtaking and one-way at different locations around Lagos Island.
“It is disheartening to get complaints from road users, particularly motorists, on activities of these unscrupulous elements impersonating and extorting money from them.
“Mr Oreagba urged the general public to be wary of these fake traffic officers stating that the agency operates a cashless policy as any violators apprehended are charged to court with a ‘referral notice’ issued to them.”
Adebayo said Oreagba warned other impersonators disguising as LASTMA personnel to immediately desist from such illegal acts as more surveillance personnel had been deployed to hunt for them.