The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, popularly called ‘Taskforce’, has arrested three suspects posing as local government traffic officers, extorting motorists in Oshodi.
The suspects claimed to be working with Oshodi–Isolo Local Government, Oshodi.
They were arrested 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 arrested suspects include: Samuel Oyegbule, 52; Olayiwola Thomas, 53 and Kola Taiwo, 47.
The suspect had, on Wednesday, extorted about N25,000 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 did not want his name mentioned, “they walked up to my vehicle while waiting for the 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 charged me with a fine of N25,000.”
