The Lagos state Police command says it has arrested 31 persons, including one policeman, three LASTMA officials, three FRSC officers, one Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) staff and 23 civilians over alleged extortion of motorists in parts of the state.
Confirming the arrest, the command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the CP’s special taskforce on extortion by uniform men and routes in Lagos, carried out the operations on Tuesday.
Hundeyin said the arrest was carried out around Iganmu and Apapa areas of Lagos.
He said the suspects were also causing heavy traffic while carrying out their activities.
According to him, the Lagos state Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa set up the 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.
“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.
The image maker said that the CP promised motorists that the enforcement team would sustain the raids and replicate the same in other parts of the state until total sanity was restored.
Lagos: Police arrest security operatives, others over extortion of motorists
