Mushin Local Government has distanced itself from some unidentified persons operating as traffic enforcement officials under its constituency.

The local government made this known in a statement signed by Eyitayo Ijaoribe, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Mushin LG Chairman Emmanuel Bamigboye.

The statement was in reaction to an online publication by The Guardian Newspaper with the title: Illegal traffic rule enforcement by Mushin council officials frustrates Lagos motorists.

In the report by The Guardian, the officials were accused of harassment, extortion, and arresting car owners, truck drivers, and motorcycle riders on the roads, while the Lagos State Government appears to be helpless or look the other way despite widespread public outcry.

It reported that over the past five years, these men—who claim to be employees of various Lagos State Local Councils—have gained influence and grown in number.

Reacting to the report, the Mushin LG denied knowledge of the existence of the officials.

The statement read: “The attention of the Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government – Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye, has been drawn to an online publication of The Guardian Newspaper of 07 November 2024, narrating the encounter and ordeals of motorists with some unidentified men operating as traffic enforcement officials under Mushin Local Government.

“We wish to state categorically that the council has neither constituted a team nor empowered any group of persons, to operate in traffic enforcement capacity, as such powers have not been delegated to the council authority, for such assignments.

The only constituted committee was the Abandon Committee, which had since been dissolved by the Executive Chairman, due to complaints and petitions from members of the public.”

The local government informed the general public, particularly, motorists driving around Mushin Local Government, to report any person or group, parading themselves as staff or agents of the council, harassing motorists, using any branded uniforms or Identity Cards of Mushin Local Government, to the nearest Police Station.

Also, it stated that it has designated security personnel at various locations and hotspots, where the identified persons usually carry out their unlawful activities against unsuspecting motorists.