A 55-year-old fake official of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Omotutu Bamidele, has been arrested by operatives of the agency in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
He said his team realizes a rough estimate of N1 million while disguising as operatives of the agency.
The suspect said he’s been running the business for a long time, affirming that he and his colleagues wear reflective jackets with LASTMA written on them.
The Ondo born Bamidele said, “I live with my younger brother in one of the army barracks in Lagos. I usually operate in Ikoyi, Obalende, Apongbon Bridge, Iporin and Olowu. I apprehend commercial and private cars for violating the state’s traffic laws, which include driving against traffic (one-way).
“I and my men rake in an average of N35,000 monthly; extorting unsuspecting members of the public.
“Any motorist, particularly private car owner, I catch dropping someone at any undesignated bus stop pays between N15,000 and N20,000, while those caught for driving against traffic pay a minimum of N35,000 as fine.”
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Bolaji Oreagba, said Bamidele was arrested on Olu Holloway Road in the Alfred Rewane area of Ikoyi.
He was arrested by a LASTMA monitoring and surveillance team led by Mr. Ashafa Moyosore.
