The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority has apprehended a 47-year-old male suspect for allegedly impersonating one of its officials and extorting N7,800 from an unsuspecting motorist.

Olalekan Bakare-Oki, LASTMA general manager, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Mr Bakare-Oki said that the suspect was arrested on Tuesday, near the Itire Junction axis of the state.

According to him, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, posing as an operative of LASTMA, accosted one Stephen Ayano, the victim, and demanded ₦80,000 from him for making an unlawful turn at the junction.

”The suspect told his victim that the amount is the penalty for the traffic violation. Unable to meet the outrageous demand, the victim pleaded and eventually parted with the only cash (N7,800) in his possession and handed it to the fake officer,” he said.

The LASTMA general manager noted that shortly after the transaction, the victim became suspicious of the suspect’s demeanour and promptly contacted the agency through its toll-free hotline (0800-00-LASTMA / 0800-005-27862) to verify the authenticity of the alleged officer.

He said that, acting on the distress report, LASTMA’s surveillance and intelligence unit was mobilised to the location.

He said that on sighting the approaching enforcement team, the suspect attempted to flee but was pursued and apprehended, and immediately conveyed to the LASTMA headquarters for interrogation.

”During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a three-man criminal syndicate that routinely parade themselves as LASTMA personnel around the Itire axis.

”He also said that the gang operates across several road intersections and makes an average of N65,000 daily,” Mr Bakare-Oki.

The LASTMA boss commended the vigilance and prompt report made by the victim, describing it as a demonstration of civic responsibility.

He reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering dedication to integrity, professionalism, and transparency in traffic management operations in the state.

Mr Bakare-Oki also reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy towards impersonation and fraudulent practices.

He restated that LASTMA officers could be distinctly identified by their official uniforms, personalised name tags, and unique service identification numbers.

“I can assure the public that the suspect will be arraigned before a mobile court. This is to serve as a deterrent to other unscrupulous elements who habitually disguise themselves as LASTMA officials to extort innocent members of the public,” he said.

(NAN)