A random resident, Mr. Adewunmi Taiwo has been apprehended by officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for impersonating an officer of the agency.
Although facts about how long the 45-year-old has been in this “business” is not yet out in the open, one can guess that he might have been on it for a while. And probably in different parts of the state.
Taiwo has confessed how he makes at least N750,000 in a month from unsuspecting motorists who perhaps breach state traffic laws. He “arrests” and extorts them on a daily basis.
The suspect, who was arrested on the Oshodi bridge in a sting operation, has since been detained for further investigation and prosecution.
You will wonder how Taiwo had so much confidence to operate around Oshodi, not a only a conspicuous part of town, but also hosts the headquarters of LASTMA, whose identity he apes. Such illegal operation in a massive manner at a busy interchange that attracts all manner of motorists!!!
Taiwo operates via intimidation. He extorts bribes from both commercial and private motorists in the Oshodi vicinity with threats and heavy-handedness, thus making people less attracted to the agency.
LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki said that the suspect had been operating a white Hiace Coaster Bus with the registration number Lagos KJA 724 YJ, utilising it as a guise to harass drivers in the area.
Bakare-Oki explained: “Upon a meticulous search of his vehicle, LASTMA officers uncovered an official LASTMA uniform, including a branded raincoat, among his possessions, confirming his intentions to deceive.
“During interrogation, Mr. Taiwo, who claimed to hail from Ilesha in Osun State and is married with three children, confessed to misusing the uniform to extort unwitting motorists, targeting high-traffic routes along Ikorodu Road and the Oshodi to Mile-2 Expressway.
“He further admitted to generating between N15,000 and N25,000 daily from these unauthorised activities.
“The agency had received multiple reports regarding extortion linked to this particular Hiace Coaster Bus. In response, LASTMA’s Surveillance and Monitoring Unit was mobilised to investigate and subsequently apprehend the suspect.
“We are unwavering in our commitment to uphold LASTMA’s integrity and professionalism”.
Bakare-Oki warned individuals who exploit LASTMA’s identity for unlawful gains to desist forthwith as “any attempt to tarnish the agency’s reputation will be met with the full force of the law when caught. The suspect will be charged accordingly”.
He reassured the public of the agency’s vigilant enforcement efforts to safeguard the efficacy of traffic management in Lagos State.
Bakare-Oki urged all motorists to report any suspicious activity via LASTMA’s toll-free hotlines (080000527862) to aid in eradicating this type of crime from the public and among officers of the agency for better service delivery.
It is in LASTMA’s interest that the fake operative was caught. I can imagine the painful stories relayed by many of his victims on how they were maltreated and extorted by a LASTMA official in Oshodi or Ikorodu road. These victims won’t know the man is fake.
Some have suggested that he might have been operating so brazenly with the active connivance of some unscrupulous officials of the agency. Nobody knows. But his arrest signposts efforts by the leadership to rid the organisation of bad eggs and monitor its routes to ensure that only LASTMA officials operate and does the right work.
Yes, other agencies have had people use or misuse their identity. The Army, Police and the Navy, among others have had occasions when people use their uniforms to make claims in public.
Like these other security outfits, LASTMA must ensure that Taiwo is tried openly and punishment due to him meted out in full. This will act as a deterrent to others who may wish to try his gimmick. It will also restore confidence in the motoring public.
More sting operations should be activated in different parts of the state to fish out others like Taiwo. LASTMA must therefore be garlanded properly on how it fishes out and punishes even its own staff. It’s a process that must be supported by all.