RRS nabs seven for allegedly extorting Lagos motorists
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested seven suspects posing as local government traffic officers for allegedly extorting motorists along LASU–Igando Expressway. The suspects, who claimed they were on contract with the Ikotun-Igando Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Alimosho Local Government Area, were arrested yesterday afternoon after receiving complaint from a victim.
The suspects arrested include the gang leader, Taiwo Falodun, 48; Mukaila Atanda, 48; Adedire Olaniyi, 40; Chibuzor Eze, 26; Akinseye Alex, 48; Rasak Eko, 50; and Aro Dotun, 46. The suspects had last week Thursday extorted N41,000 from the victim for not speeding on the expressway.
The victim, according to investigations, was heading towards Igando from LASU when the suspects, operating on ‘Keke NAPEP’ forced him to park for not speeding. He was thereafter forced to drive to their hideout on LASU–Igando Expressway. It was there his vehicle was impounded and made to pay N41,000 before the vehicle was released to him the following day.
During the arrest, over 15 private vehicles and two commercial buses had been impounded by the miscreants with their tyres deflated. Some of the victims described the activities of the suspects as illegal. One of them who declined to mention his name stated that the suspects demanded N30,000 from him for his vehicle not to be towed to Badagry, where he would be made to pay N75,000.
Investigations revealed that many private car owners were paying cash and through a POS allegedly owned by one of the suspects. According to Taiwo Falodun, a dismissed Spy Policeman, there are three teams operating for Ikotun-Igando LCDA, adding that they were engaged to work for the local council on contract.
He noted that the team remits N20,000 weekly to the local council. Recovered from the team were payment tickets issued to their victims ranging from N25,000 to N75,000 and one tricycle.
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