… Seeks Citizens’ Collaboration on Protection of Road Furniture Against Vandalisation
In line with the Lagos State Government’s efforts to sanitise the transport sector against individuals parading themselves as Government Officials, some fake enforcement personnel have been apprehended at different parts of Agege area of Lagos by the Lagos State Task Force in collaboration with the Transport Operations Compliance Unit of the Ministry of Transportation for illegal enforcement operations.
The impostors paraded at the Ministry of Transportation, with the name Olayinka Daniel, Shola Babarinde and Ilesanmi, were reported by a Motorist who claimed they had forcefully gained access to his vehicle and accused him of not having a Stage Carriage Permit. He further explained that he was asked to pay N15,500 despite having other vehicle documents.
The fake enforcement officials later confessed in addition to the alleged fine collected, to have been selling unauthorised Local Government Emblems to vehicle operators plying the area under the supervision of one “Mr. Tunji” who lived around Oniwaya axis in Agege area.
In another development, some fake enforcement officials were also arrested at Ago Palace Way, Okota for illegal extortion of truck drivers. They claimed to be working for the Local Government but they were unable to provide identification upon their arrest.
Reacting to the increased cases of fraudulent activities of the impostors, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola stated that while the culprits have been handed over to the Police, he assured that decisive actions will be taken against them in line with the Lagos State Traffic Law 2018 for tainting the name of the State Government and inflicting pain on Motorists.
Reiterating the position of the Government on criminality, Toriola also warned against the destruction and theft of Road Signs and other road furniture across the State. The Permanent Secretary further stated that investigations have revealed that unauthorised cart pushers and metal scrap collectors are the major perpetrators of the dastard act.
He referred to a recent incident where vandals were arrested in the process of stealing a vandalised road sign, affirming that anyone found guilty of such an act will be prosecuted in line with the Transport Reform Law 2018.
