By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
A 32-year-old man, identified as Adetayo Adewodun, is set to face prosecution after he was arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority for impersonating a LASTMA officer and extorting motorists in the Itire area of Lagos State.
LASTMA spokesperson, Taofeek Adebayo, disclosed this in a statement obtained by The Punch on Wednesday.
Adebayo stated that the suspect accosted one Ayano Stephen, who was driving a white Hilux vehicle (GME 259 TE) belonging to a construction firm, for allegedly making an unlawful turn at the Itire junction.
Posing as an operative of LASTMA, Adewodun was said to have deceitfully demanded the sum of N80,000 as a supposed penalty for the traffic violation.
“Unable to meet the outrageous demand, Mr. Stephen pleaded and eventually parted with the only cash in his possession, a sum of N7,800, which he handed over to the fake officer.
“However, shortly after the transaction, the motorist became suspicious of the suspect’s demeanor and promptly contacted the Agency through its toll-free hotline (0800-00-LASTMA / 0800-005-27862) to verify the authenticity of the alleged officer.
“Acting upon the distress report, LASTMA’s Surveillance and Intelligence Unit, under the directive of the General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, swiftly mobilised to the location,” the statement read.
Adebayo, however, added that on sighting the approaching enforcement team, the suspect attempted to flee but was apprehended and immediately taken to the agency’s headquarters for interrogation.
He further disclosed that Adewodun confessed to being a member of a three-man criminal syndicate that routinely paraded itself as LASTMA personnel around the Itire area, extorting unsuspecting motorists under the guise of enforcing traffic regulations.
He was also said to have divulged that the gang operated across several road intersections and made an average of N65,000 daily.
“The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, commended the vigilance and prompt report made by the motorist, describing it as a demonstration of civic responsibility. He reaffirmed the agency’s unwavering dedication to integrity, professionalism, and transparency in traffic management operations throughout Lagos State.
“Mr. Bakare-Oki further reiterated the Agency’s zero-tolerance policy towards impersonation and fraudulent practices, emphasizing that all authentic LASTMA officers can be distinctly identified by their official uniforms, personalized name tags, and unique service identification numbers,” the statement added.
The LASTMA boss, in the statement, also 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 will receive immediate and decisive action.
He assured the public that the suspect would be arraigned before a Mobile Court to serve as a deterrent to “other unscrupulous elements who habitually disguise themselves as LASTMA officials to extort innocent members of the public.”
The development follows repeated complaints by Lagos residents about fake enforcement agents posing as traffic officials to extort unsuspecting motorists.
The Punch reported in 2024 that One Adewunmi Taiwo, a 45-year-old man, was arrested for impersonating a LASTMA officer and extorting money from motorists.
The Punch