The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended a 47-year-old man, identified as Mr Adetayo Adewodun, for impersonating a LASTMA officer and extorting ₦7,800 from a motorist around the Itire Junction area of Lagos State.

The agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs, Adebayo Taofiq.

According to the statement, the suspect stopped one Mr Ayano Stephen, driver of a white Hilux vehicle (GME 259 TE) belonging to a construction company, accusing him of making an illegal turn. Pretending to be a LASTMA operative, Adewodun demanded ₦80,000 as a penalty but later collected ₦7,800 from the motorist.

The motorist, however, became suspicious and contacted LASTMA through its toll-free hotline (0800-00-LASTMA / 0800-005-27862) to confirm the officer’s identity.

Acting on the report, LASTMA’s Surveillance and Intelligence Unit, on the directive of its General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, swiftly moved to the scene, apprehended the suspect, and took him to the agency’s headquarters in Oshodi for interrogation.

Investigations revealed that the suspect was part of a three-man syndicate that posed as LASTMA officers to extort motorists around the Itire axis. Adewodun confessed that the group made an average of ₦65,000 daily through such fraudulent activities.

The General Manager, Mr Bakare-Oki, commended the motorist for his vigilance and timely report, describing it as an act of civic responsibility.

He reiterated LASTMA’s commitment to professionalism, transparency, and zero tolerance for impersonation and extortion.

Bakare-Oki reminded the public that genuine LASTMA officials can be identified by their official uniforms, name tags, and service identification numbers. He urged motorists to report any suspicious activity through the agency’s verified communication channels, assuring prompt response and action.

He appealed to Lagosians, particularly motorists, to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious enforcement activity or impersonation attempts through the agency’s verified communication channels, especially its toll-free emergency number (080000527862), assuring that such reports would receive immediate and decisive action.

“I can assure the public that the suspect will be arraigned before a Mobile Court to serve as a deterrent to other unscrupulous elements who habitually disguise as LASTMA officials to extort innocent members of the public.”

He added that the suspect would be arraigned before a Mobile Court to serve as a deterrent to others, while reaffirming the agency’s commitment to ensuring order and discipline on Lagos roads.

The General Manager further reaffirmed that LASTMA remains resolute in its mandate to entrench order, discipline, and sanity on Lagos roads while safeguarding law-abiding motorists from fraudulent exploitation.