Lagos Raises The Alarm Over Fake Law Enforcement Officers

Lagos State government yesterday raised the alarm over the activities of fake law enforcement officers in the state, saying it has arrested some individuals parading themselves as government enforcement personnel.

The government said the fake enforcement personnel were apprehended at different parts of Agege area of Lagos by the Lagos State Task Force in collaboration with the Transport Operations Compliance Unit of the Ministry of Transportation.

The fake enforcers paraded at the Ministry of Transportation identified as, Olayinka Daniel, Shola Babarinde and Ilesanmi were reported by a motorist who claimed they had forcefully gained access to his vehicle and accused him of not having a state carriage permit.

He further explained that he was asked to pay N15,500 despite having other vehicle documents.

The fake enforcement personnel later confessed in addition to the alleged fine collected, to have been selling unauthorised Local Government Emblems to vehicle operators plying the area under the supervision of one “Mr. Tunji” who lived around Oniwaya axis in Agege area.

The state government said some fake enforcement officials were also arrested at Ago Palace Way, Okota for illegal extortion of truck drivers. They claimed to be working for the Local Government but they were unable to provide identification upon their arrest.

Reacting to the fraudulent surge of the activities of the fake enforcers, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola said the culprits have been handed over to the Police.

He assured that decisive actions will be taken on them in line with the Lagos State Traffic Law 2018, for tainting the name of the state government and inflicting pains on motorists.

Reiterating the position of the government on criminality, Toriola also warned against destruction and theft of Road Signs and other road furniture across the state.

He said investigations have revealed that unauthorised cart pushers and metal scrap collectors are the major perpetrators of the dastard act.

Toriola referred to an instance of a road sign already vandalised and in the process of being taken away in a truck, warning that anyone found guilty of such an act will be penalised in line with the Transport Reform Law 2018.