Gov’t Official Among 4 Arrested For Extorting Lagosians At Yaba Pedestrian Bridge
Four persons have been arrested by the Lagos State government for collecting money from people using a pedestrian bridge in the Yaba area of the state.
This was disclosed on Thursday by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab.
Advertisement
According to him, the individuals would be prosecuted immediately, while efforts to arrest those on the run would continue.
Two were earlier arrested, before an additional four were apprehended.
“In response to the viral video of some miscreants extorting traders and other Lagosians on a pedestrian bridge in Yaba, I instructed the Corps Marshal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial to immediately arrest the persons and the officer involved.
“They will be arraigned immediately in court while the clampdown on those on the run would continue,” Wahab wrote via his verified X handle.
Advertisement
“Additional 4 persons were arrested for extorting traders and Lagosians using the pedestrian bridges across the State.,” he stated in a follow-up tweet.
In a viral video, some miscreants are seen preventing people carrying loads from using a pedestrian bridge unless they part with money.
Reacting to the video on Wednesday, the commissioner had stated that pedestrian bridges are meant for Lagosians to use freely without any hindrance.
He warned that the state government would not tolerate lawlessness of any form.
Advertisement
“I have been inundated with calls from concerned Lagosians about a viral video of some miscreants collecting money from people using a pedestrian bridge in Yaba, Lagos State. This is quite unfortunate and condemnable.
“Pedestrian bridges are meant for Lagosians to use freely without any hindrance, neither does it require payment to anyone. Environmental nuisance and lawlessness of any kind will not be allowed in Lagos State.
“I appeal to the general public to be calm as the government is already taking action on the unfortunate incident. We remain committed to a safer, healthier and cleaner Lagos State,” he said.
In February, Wahab had ordered the Corp Marshal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), and other law enforcement agents to arrest anyone found crossing the highway in the state.
According to Wahab, those arrested crossing the highway would be prosecuted immediately.
Effort by THE WHISTLER to speak with the Head, the Public Affairs and Advocacy Unit of LAGESC, Mr. Ajayi Lukman, on the latest development proved abortive as he did not pick calls put across to him.
