Fake LASTMA officer nabbed

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority have arrested a fake traffic officer of the agency, Omotutu Bamidele, around the Ikoyi area of the state.

This was disclosed in a statement shared via the agency’s Twitter handle on Sunday.

Bamidele, who hailed from ‘Atijere Town’ in Ondo State, confessed that he and his colleagues make an average of N35,000 from extortion acts on a daily basis.

The statement read, “Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority over the weekend nabbed another serial fake traffic officer around the Ikoyi area of Lagos.

” In a press statement released by the Director, Public Affairs Department of LASTMA Mr. Adebayo Taofiq quoted the General Manager Mr. Bolaji Oreagba confirmed that the suspect was nabbed at Olu Holloway Road by Alfred Rewane area of Ikoyi by a Lastma Monitoring/Surveillance team led by Mr. Ashafa Moyosore (Zonal Head).

“Mr. Oreagba confirmed further that the Agency carried out a special monitoring/Surveillance operations about the suspect and got him arrested in response to complaints from motoring public (Obinna Kingsley & Adewusi Adebola) via Lastma hotlines/social media handles.

“Investigation conducted revealed that the arrested suspect has been extorting huge sums of money from motorists for various traffic offences ranging from seatbelt, obstructions, illegal over-taking and One-way at different locations around Lagos Island.

“The arrested suspect, Mr. Omotutu Bamidele (55yrs), confessed to have been impersonating with a reflective jacket as a Lastma officer and extorting money from motorists particularly private car owners/ drivers at highbrow areas across the state.

“Mr. Bamidele who confirmed to be living with his junior brother inside in one of the Army Barracks in Lagos confessed further to have operated around Ikoyi, Obalende, Apongbon Bridge, Iporin, Olowu areas apprehending both commercial and private cars for various traffic infractions including driving against traffic (one-way).

“The suspect who hailed from ‘Atijere Town’ in Ondo State said he and his colleagues are making an average of N35,000 from extortions on daily basis. Any motorists, particularly private car owners I caught dropping someone at any undesignated bus stop paid between N15,000 to N20,000 while those caught for driving against traffic (One-way) paid a minimum of N35,000.

“Meanwhile, the Director, Legal Department (Lastma), Barr. Akerele Kehinde, disclosed that the arrested suspect would be charged to court with all items recovered from him (fake identity card & a reflective jacket) on Monday (27th of March, 2023) in accordance with the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.”