Lagos Taskforce to Prosecute 28 Miscreants Arrested for Extorting Motorists

The Lagos State Taskforce announced on Tuesday that it will prosecute 28 miscreants arrested for terrorising and extorting motorists in various parts of the state.

Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the agency’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, stated that these individuals were known for extorting money from motorists whose vehicles broke down on the highway, under the guise of collecting “owo omotaku,” meaning “breakdown money.”

The arrests were made during a raid in areas such as Mile 2, Alaba Rago, FESTAC, Apapa, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Abdulraheem noted that the group, popularly referred to as “Omotaku,” had long been a nuisance to innocent drivers, coercing them into paying large sums when their vehicles malfunctioned on the road.

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Reacting to the arrests, CSP Adetayo Akerele, the Chairman of the agency, described the operation as a positive step towards providing relief for motorists and residents who have endured significant hardship due to the group’s activities.

He stressed that the miscreants would be charged in court and highlighted the agency’s commitment to apprehending others involved in similar crimes.

Lagos traffic congestion

“The Lagos State Taskforce is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all residents. We will continue our efforts to rid the city of those who prey on law-abiding citizens.

We will not rest until every member of the Omotaku gang is arrested and held accountable for their crimes. All 28 suspects will be charged in court immediately,” Akerele stated through Abdulraheem.

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The spokesperson also encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities through the agency’s “See Something, Say Something” initiative, stressing the importance of collaboration between the public and the agency in maintaining a safe, peaceful, and livable city.

EKO HOT BLOG gathered that on Tuesday that the taskforce seized 82 motorcycles during recent operations in the Berger, Mile 2 Oke, and Orile areas of Lagos. This seizure was part of the enforcement of a ban on commercial motorcycle operations on major highways across the state. Abdulraheem noted that this initiative is aimed at ensuring Lagos roads remain safe and navigable, and he added that both riders and passengers found violating the ban will face prosecution.

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