Metro

I Make N250K Weekly From Unsuspecting Motorists – LASTMA Impersonator Confesses

Published

2 years ago

February 14, 2024

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, have apprehended a suspected serial impersonator, Mr. Femi Adegbemi,56, after collecting the sum of N140,000 from unsuspecting owners of vehicles impounded over traffic infractions in the state.

The General Manager of LASTMA Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, who confirmed the arrest, however, warned the general public to be wary of those unscrupulous elements stating that the agency operates a cashless policy as any violators apprehended are charged to court via a ‘Referral Notice’ issued to them.

Oki stressed that more surveillance/monitoring personnel have been strategically deployed to hunt for those unscrupulous elements duping innocent motoring public across the state.

Also, the Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Mr. Taofiq Adebayo, disclosed that the suspect was apprehended by the monitoring and surveillance team of the agency at Oshodi.

According to Adebayo, “The suspect was apprehended after the agency received complaints of extortions from owners of inter-state commercial buses impounded and ticketed for traffic infractions around Moshalasi by Alaka area of Surulere.

“Investigations conducted revealed that Adegbemi has been collecting huge amounts of money from innocent owners of vehicles impounded by LASTMA officials during enforcement operations.

“The arrested suspect collected N140,000 from owners/drivers by promising to help them get their impounded vehicles released from the custody of the agency

“It is disheartening getting complaints from road users particularly owners of impounded vehicles on activities of these unscrupulous elements impersonating and extorting money from different owners of impounded vehicles thereby tarnishing the good image of the Agency before the public.”

The suspect, Adegbemi, confessed to having collected N140,000 from owners of the victims, particularly, impounded interstate commercial vehicles.

Suspect confesses

Residing at Number 9, Anifowose Street, Somolu, the suspect in his statement, confessed, that; “I and my other colleagues make an average of N250,000 every week from motorists arrested for committing traffic offences.”

LASTMA has launched a manhunt after his group members who are still at large illegal deal with his other colleagues still at large.

The suspect, however, vowed not to retun to the illegal operation if left off the hook by the Government.

Meanwhile, Director, Legal Department, LASTMA, Barr. Akerele Kehinde has said that the suspect would be arraigned in court as soon as possible to serve as deterrent to others.

VANGUARD

Metro

Police Impound Vehicle With 387 Blocks Of Cannabis In Bauchi

Published

13 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi state Police Command says it has impounded a vehicle with nothing less than 387 blocks of suspected cannabis sativa after involving in an auto crash in the state.

Sani Omolori-Aliyu, the Commissioner of Police in the state, disclosed this on Friday while handing over the exhibits to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Bauchi state Command.

According to him, the car and one other had a head-on collision in Wom village of Toro Local Government Area of the state on October 4, 2025 at about 11:30am.

“Initial reports from eyewitnesses and preliminary investigations indicate that the first vehicle, a white Toyota Corolla with registration number ABC-459LF, was operated by one Ali Muhammad, a 45-year-old resident of Nabardo Village.

“He was transporting the District Head of Nabardo, Suleiman Suleiman, aged 65, along with his family members as they travelled from Bauchi Metropolis to Nabardo Village.

“The second vehicle, another white Toyota Corolla with registration number GWA-155GW, was driven by an individual yet to be identified, who was travelling from Jos, Plateau State, towards Bauchi.

“It was reported that this driver attempted to overtake other vehicles without exercising adequate caution, resulting in a head-on collision with the first vehicle,” he said.

The Commissioner further explained that the occupants of both vehicles sustained varying degrees of injuries and were transported to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for medical care.

He said that the District Head suffered a fracture in his left leg and is currently receiving treatment with other victims while some have been discharged.

Omolori-Aliyu also revealed that in the aftermath of the incident, during the search at the scene, the detectives recovered several items in the damaged vehicle which included the 387 blocks of suspected cannabis.

The Commissioner, who explained that the command was in pursuit of the unidentified driver to ensure accountability and prompt legal action, encouraged anyone with information regarding the driver’s identity to come forward and assist in the investigation.

“The police are committed to diligently pursuing leads to identify the principal suspect.

“The Bauchi State Police Command is dedicated to maintaining peace and order in our community and urges the public to remain calm and cooperative throughout this process.

“We invite anyone with information that could aid in this investigation to contact us and we assure citizens that we are resolutely focused on ensuring justice is achieved,” he said.

While receiving the exhibits, Hussaini Umar, Deputy Commandant, NDLEA, appreciated the police for the cooperation and synergy and promised to work hand in hand to ensure that the driver and the owner were found.

Metro

Fake Revenue Agents Apprehended In Aba While Defrauding Residents

Published

18 hours ago

October 10, 2025

Editor

Abia State Harmonized Taskforce has apprehended four individuals impersonating as members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) for acts of extortion, intimidation, and illegal enforcement along the Port Harcourt Road axis of Aba and its environs.

They were nabbed on Thursday at Flyover junction around Ugwunagbo area through an operation authorized by the Aba Area Coordinator of ASHTF, Mr. Uche Wogu.

A statement issued by Miracle Chukwunenye, spokesperson of the Harmonized Task Force said that the agency received multiple complaints from market women, tricycle (Keke) operators, and traders about the unlawful activities of a group led by one Mr. Ahuama.

‎”Upon arrival, the Taskforce, in joint effort with the police, arrested Mr. Ahuama and three accomplices who were caught extorting money from unsuspecting traders and tricycle operators under the false pretense of being NURTW officials.

“Investigations revealed that the suspects had already impounded about twenty (20) tricycles earlier that morning and collected money from the owners before being intercepted,” Chukwunenye said.

‎He added that during the operation, the suspects resisted arrest and attacked Taskforce operatives and police officers, but they were eventually subdued and are now in custody.

Chukwunenye sensitized traders and transporters that Abia State operates a strict No-Cash-at-Hand revenue system, and as such, no government-authorized personnel is permitted to collect cash from citizens.