LASTMA arrests fake traffic officer who makes N35k daily

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) over the weekend nabbed another serial fake traffic officer around Ikoyi area of Lagos.

A press statement released by the Director, Public Affairs Department of LASTMA, Mr. Adebayo Taofiq, quoted the General Manager of the agency, Mr. Bolaji Oreagba, as saying that the suspect was nabbed at Olu Holloway Road by Alfred Rewane area of Ikoyi by a Lastma Monitoring/Surveillance team, led by Mr. Ashafa Moyosore (Zonal Head).

Oreagba stated further that the agency carried out a special monitoring/Surveillance operations about the suspect and got him arrested in response to complaints from the motoring public (Obinna Kingsley & Adewusi Adebola) via Lastma hotlines/social media handles.

Investigation conducted revealed that the arrested suspect was in the habit of extorting huge sum of money from motorists for various traffic offences ranging from seat-belt, obstructions, illegal over-taking and One-way at different locations around the Lagos Island.

“It is disheartening getting complaints from road users particularly motorists on activities of these unscrupulous elements impersonating and extorting money from them,” Oreagba said, urging the general public to be wary of these fake traffic officers stating that the agency operates a cashless policy as violators of traffic rules are charged to court with a ‘Referral Notice’ issued to them.

He said: “Let me warn the motoring public to desists from inducing traffic officers in any form (money) as both the giver and taker are liable before the law”

The General Manager warned other impersonators disguising as Lastma personnel to immediately desist from such illegal acts as more surveillance personnel have been strategically deployed to hunt for them.

Meanwhile, the suspect, Omotutu Bamidele (55yrs), confessed to have been impersonating with a reflective jacket as a Lastma officer and extorting money from motorists, particularly private car owners/ drivers at highbrow areas across the state.

Bamidele, who said he lives with his younger brother inside in one of the Army Barracks in Lagos, confessed further to have operated around Ikoyi, Obalende, Apongbon Bridge, Iporin, Olowu areas apprehending both commercial and private cars for various traffic infractions, including driving against traffic (one-way).

The suspect, an indigene of Atijere town in Ondo State, said he and his colleagues make an average of N35,000 from extortions on daily basis.