By Ikenna OMEJE
Adewunmi Taiwo, a 45-year-old man, has been arrested for impersonating an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and extorting money from motorists.
Taiwo was apprehended by LASTMA officials while conducting illegal activities. Adebayo Taofiq, LASTMA’s spokesperson, confirmed the arrest and revealed that Taiwo admitted to extorting drivers on high-traffic routes, including Ikorodu Road and the Oshodi-Mile 2 expressway.
During the arrest, authorities recovered a LASTMA uniform and a branded raincoat from Taiwo, which further indicated his fraudulent actions.
“This individual posed as an official to intimidate and extort funds from both commercial and private motorists,” Taofiq stated. “Operating a white Hiace Coaster Bus with the license plate KJA 724 YJ, he harassed drivers in the area. A thorough search of his vehicle revealed an official LASTMA uniform, confirming his intent to deceive.”
During interrogation, Taiwo, who claims to be from Ilesha in Osun State and is married with three children, confessed to misusing the uniform to extort unsuspecting motorists, generating between N15,000 and N25,000 daily from these unauthorized activities.
LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, noted that the agency had received numerous reports of extortion linked to Taiwo’s vehicle. In response, LASTMA’s Surveillance and Monitoring Unit was deployed to investigate, ultimately leading to the suspect’s arrest.
“We are committed to upholding LASTMA’s integrity and professionalism,” affirmed Mr. Bakare-Oki. “I urge anyone exploiting LASTMA’s identity for illegal gains to reconsider. We will take firm action against anyone attempting to tarnish our agency’s reputation.”
