Task Force To Clamp Down On LG Officials Over Illegal Traffic Activities

The Lagos State Task Force said with effect from Monday, 28th May 2018, it would commence a total clampdown on illegal activities of local government traffic officials on all roads across the state.

SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, chairman, Lagos State Task Force disclosed this, saying that illegal activities of notorious traffic officials on the roads have become worrisome.

According to him, cases of motorists being extorted with complaints from victims have inundated his office, and on daily basis.

The task force chief said he had been directed by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Edgal Imohimi to commence total clampdown on the recalcitrant officials.

He said the CP Imohimi was not comfortable with the rate of extortions suffered by motorists in the hands of the notorious traffic officials, who claim to be enforcing the Lagos State Road Traffic Law of 2012.

He explained that as a responsive and responsible government, rights of Lagosians including motorists are paramount to Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

He reiterated that the ban of all local governments’ traffic officials from controlling or engaging in traffic duties by the state governor still stands.

SP Egbeyemi noted that motorists have severally complained that such officials on mufti harass them, collect illegal fees with fake local government tickets.

“Indeed there are traffic unit in all the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas. However, traffic management is not a responsibility for the third tier of government. We have reported instances of illegal arrests, extortions and general impunity on the part of the local government operatives.”

The Chairman quoted the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, saying “only Nigerian Police, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Taskforce and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) can perform traffic duties”

SP Egbeyemi urged motorists to always adhere strictly to traffic regulations and report to the nearest Police Station any illegal activities of traffic officials, adding that there had never been a time government considered ceding its traffic management responsibilities to any tier of government.

He, however, enjoined chairmen of local governments and local council development areas of the State to maintain zero tolerance for illegal traffic duties around their respective council as any traffic official caught by the Agency would be dealt with in accordance with the law.