Task force busts fake Lagos ministry’s staff extorting motorists

Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, (MOT), on Friday, arrested 10 individuals parading themselves as staff of the ministry and impounding vehicles at Cele Bus Stop on Apapa/Oshodi Expressway.

The affected people, comprising nine males and one female, were paraded at the Ministry of Transportation building, Alausa, Secretariat, Ikeja.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Wale Musa, who addressed newsmen during the parade, said the fake staff were arrested on Friday afternoon by a committee set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to monitor activities of touts impersonating Lagos State government workers.

According to Musa, items found on them include fake Lagos State tickets and Identification cards, saying that a towing vehicle which the touts used to tow vehicles of any motorist they arrested was also seized by the Task Force.

The permanent secretary said the arrest followed several complaints by members of the public on activities of touts across the state disguising themselves as staff of the ministry to impound vehicles and extort motorists.

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“We have received various complaints concerning activities of fake MOT staff who are extorting motorists. The governor set up a committee to look into this which led to the arrest of these touts. They have fake ID cards and tickets. They also have a towing vehicle they use,” Musa said.

The permanent secretary said his ministry had nothing to do with the touts, saying that they would be made to face the full wrath of the law, even as he urged Lagosians to call the ministry’s number or send a message to it whenever they see such people.

“As a government, we don’t condone activities of fake touts. They do not work for us. When you see such people, Lagosians should call our number or send a message to us. We are going to eradicate them one by one and they will face the law,” Musa said.

One of the arrested touts, Bunmi James, told newsmen that they were recruited by one Adebayo Michael, who claimed to be a staff of MOT, but is now at large.

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