The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has arrested 45-year-old Adewunmi Taiwo, who was masquerading as one of its officers on the Oshodi bridge.
The LASTMA’s General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Friday, detailing how Taiwo targeted both commercial and private motorists.
Operating a white Hiace Coaster bus with the license plate KJA 724 YJ, Taiwo used his false identity to intimidate drivers and extort money.
“During a meticulous search, LASTMA officers found an official LASTMA uniform, including a branded raincoat, confirming his intentions to deceive,” Bakare-Oki explained.
Taiwo, who hails from Ilesha in Osun State and is married with three children, admitted to extorting unsuspecting motorists.
He claimed to generate between ₦15,000 and ₦25,000 daily from his illicit activities along high-traffic routes, including Ikorodu Road and the Oshodi to Mile 2 Expressway.
In light of multiple complaints regarding the extortion linked to his vehicle, LASTMA’s Surveillance and Monitoring Unit was deployed to apprehend the suspect.
Bakare-Oki strongly warned those exploiting LASTMA’s identity: “Any attempt to tarnish the agency’s reputation will be met with the full force of the law.”
He reassured the public of LASTMA’s dedication to maintaining integrity and professionalism in traffic management and urged motorists to report any suspicious activities through their toll-free hotline, 080000527862.
