The Mile 2 axis of Lagos has been described as the hotbed of extortion by some officers of the Nigeria Police Force, FRSC, LASTMA and thugs.
Three policemen, one official of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), one officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and 15 thugs have been arrested for extortion of truck drivers and motorists in Lagos State.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the arrest in a statement on Saturday said the officers and the thugs were arrested at the Mile 2 area of the state.
The Mile 2 axis of Lagos has been described as the hotbed of extortion by some officers of the Nigeria Police Force, FRSC, LASTMA and thugs.
The police spokesperson stated that the operation was carried out on Friday following reports of extortion of truck drivers and other motorists by thugs and some law enforcement officers.
Hundeyin said that “The Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, has 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 commenced raids on Friday was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations) and comprised tactical teams and provost officers from the state headquarters.
“A total of 15 thugs were arrested in the act while three police officers, one FRSC, and one LASTMA personnel were also arrested for being in cahoots with the touts,” The Punch reports.
According to him, the police commissioner had warned that any law enforcement personnel, irrespective of their agency, found complicit in extortion racketeering would not be spared as they would be apprehended and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The PPRO said, “Meanwhile, the CP has assured Lagosians, especially motorists that the newly set-up enforcement team will sustain the raids and definitely replicate them in other parts of the state where the same issues exist until total sanity is restored.”