The Lagos State Taskforce has made a major breakthrough in the fight against crime as they arrested 51 notorious members of a highway gang known for harassing truck drivers along the Apapa/Oshodi and Lagos/Badagry Expressway. The gang has been causing havoc for both truck drivers and road users in general.
These individuals have gained notoriety for their brazen tactics, extorting money from truck drivers under the pretext of working for the defunct Lagos State Parks and Garages Agency. The gang members have been subjecting drivers to physical harm and acts of bestiality when they resisted their extortion attempts.
The arrest comes after numerous complaints from road users who frequently use this highway. Drivers who refused to comply were often faced with violent threats, including the removal of essential truck components such as batteries and mirrors, right on the expressway.
Confirming the arrest, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Director of Press and Public Affairs for the Lagos State Taskforce, stated, “We have been on the trail of this gang for a while after receiving several complaints. Their actions have no regard for existing law and order in the state. It is unfortunate that such acts of jungle justice were allowed to continue for so long, but we are putting an end to their operations once and for all.”
CSP Shola Jejeloye, Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, expressed his displeasure at the audacity of this gang, lamenting their wreaking of unnecessary havoc on the highways in the name of parks and garages. He emphasized that despite the ban on the activities of the agency, they persistently continued their criminal activities without fear.
One victim, Victor Aiyegbosi, a truck driver who fell victim to the gang, praised the efforts of the Taskforce. He described their actions as inhumane, stating that the gang would damage their trucks by ripping off cables and shattering windows and mirrors if they refused to comply. With the Taskforce’s intervention, Aiyegbosi expressed relief, saying that it was the best thing to happen to them this year.
Out of the 51 arrested suspects, eight have pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 7 months imprisonment or a fine of 65,000 Naira. The remaining 43 suspects pleaded not guilty, and their hearing has been adjourned until March 1, 2024.
CSP Jejeloye issued a stern warning to others engaged in acts of impersonation and extortion, urging them to desist immediately or face prosecution. The Lagos State Government remains committed to ensuring the safety and efficiency of transportation networks within the state under the THEMES PLUS agenda of the present administration.
