Emmanuel lkpeama
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended a 47-year-old man, Mr. Adetayo Adewodun, for impersonating a LASTMA officer and extorting ₦7,800 from a motorist at Itire Junction, Lagos.
The suspect allegedly accosted the motorist, demanding ₦80,000 for an alleged traffic violation.
Investigator news reports that the suspect, Mr. Adewodun, accosted one Mr. Ayano Stephen, driver of a white Hilux vehicle (GME 259 TE) belonging to a construction firm, for allegedly making an unlawful turn at the aforementioned junction.
Posing as an operative of LASTMA, the impostor deceitfully demanded the sum of ₦80,000 as a supposed penalty for the traffic violation.
Unable to meet the outrageous demand, Mr. Stephen pleaded and eventually parted with the only cash in his possession a sum of ₦7,800 which he handed over to the fake officer.
However, shortly after the transaction, the motorist became suspicious of the suspect’s demeanor and promptly contacted the Agency through its toll-free hotline (0800-00-LASTMA / 0800-005-27862) to verify the authenticity of the alleged officer.
Acting upon the distress report, LASTMA’s Surveillance and Intelligence Unit, under the directive of the General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, swiftly mobilized to the location.
On sighting the approaching enforcement team, the suspect attempted to flee but was hotly pursued, apprehended within minutes, and immediately conveyed to the LASTMA Headquarters at Oshodi for interrogation.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect is part of a three-man syndicate that routinely parades themselves as LASTMA personnel, extorting unsuspecting motorists.
The gang reportedly operates across several road intersections, making an average of ₦65,000 daily through such nefarious activities.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the motorist’s vigilance and prompt report, describing it as a demonstration of civic responsibility.
He reaffirmed the Agency’s zero-tolerance policy towards impersonation and fraudulent practices, emphasizing that authentic LASTMA officers can be identified by their official uniforms, personalized name tags, and unique service identification numbers.
Bakare-Oki appealed to Lagosians particularly motorists to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious enforcement activity or impersonation attempts through the Agency’s verified communication channels, especially its toll-free emergency number (080000527862), assuring that such reports will receive immediate and decisive action.
“I can assure the public that the suspect will be arraigned before a Mobile Court to serve as a deterrent to other unscrupulous elements who habitually disguise as LASTMA officials to extort innocent members of the public.”
The General Manager further reaffirmed that LASTMA remains resolute in its mandate to entrench order, discipline, and sanity on Lagos roads, while safeguarding law-abiding motorists from fraudulent exploitation.
Investigator news gathered that the suspect will be arraigned before a Mobile Court to serve as a deterrent to other unscrupulous elements who habitually disguise themselves as LASTMA officials to extort innocent members of the public.
