By Christopher Oji
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested 31 persons, including a policeman, three officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), three officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC ) one staff member of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA),and 23 civilians over alleged extortions of motorists in different locations of the state.
Lagos State Police Publlic Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said hat the operation was carried out by the newly constituted Commissioner of Police special taskforce on extortion by uniform men and routes in Lagos,last Tuesday.
The PPRO, said that the arrest was carried out around Iganmu and Apapa areas .
He said that the suspects were also causing heavy traffic, while carrying out their nefarious activities.
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Idowu Owohunwa, set up a taskforce, which conducted the operation following reports of incessant extortion of motorists by thugs and some recalcitrant law enforcement officers.
The taskforce arrested 18 of such suspects last week Friday and Saturday at Mile 2 area of the state.
Hundeyin said that the operation was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) in the state, Mr Fatai Tijani.
“Determined to check escalating cases of extortion on the highways, CP Idowu Owohunwa, set up an enforcement team, with the mandate of raiding spots that have been identified as notorious for such nefarious activities.
“The enforcement team, which began raids on Friday, was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) and comprises tactical teams and provost officers from the state headquarters.
“CP Owohunwa warned that any law enforcement personnel, irrespective of agency, found complicit in extortion racketeering, would be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law,” Hundeyin said.
Hundeyin ,said that the CP promised motorists that the enforcement team would sustain the raids and replicate same in other parts of the state until total sanity was restored.
