Police Arrest 3 for Extortion, Illegal Revenue Collection

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Police operatives attached to the Zone 2 Police Command said on Wednesday that it arrested three suspects operating at Berger, at the boundary between Lagos and Ogun States, for extortion and illegal revenue collection at the Lagos end of Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

Their arrest was effected based on incessant complaints by transporters, their unions and associations.

Arrested were Ajala Kabiru, Olasukanmi Popoola and Kazeem Hassan.

Confirming the arrests, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, a Superintendent of Police, said the arrests were in line with the directives of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Abdulmajid Ali.

He said, “In line with the effort of the AIG Zone 2 Command, AIG Abdulmajid Ali, to curb touting, extortion and illegal revenue collection on the major highways within the zone, the zonal command has arrested three suspects at Berger Area.

“They were arrested at the boundary between Lagos and Ogun States on Saturday for extortion and illegal revenue collection at the Lagos end of Lagos/Ibadan Expressway.

“The zonal command had received a series of petitions and complaints from various transport associations/unions about the illegal toll or revenue collections and even extortion by some touts or hoodlums who disguise as government agents/officials along highways within the zone, particularly on Lagos/Ibadan, Sagamu/Ijebu Ode/Benin Expressways and at various points in Lagos and Ogun States.

“In response to people’s complaints and intelligence reports, the AIG directed police operatives attached to the Zonal Department of Criminal Investigation and Intellignce (ZCIID) to curb such illegal activities and apprehend anyone or group of persons engaging in such criminal acts on our highways.

“AIG Ali has also challenged government revenue agencies(agents) and departments to always issue marks of identification or personal identity cards to their staff or operatives for easy identification so as to assist the police and other security operatives in the course of their duties of law enforcement and maintenance of law and order.

“The AIG Zone 2 Command therefore assures the general public of thorough cleansing of the zonal command and provisition of adequate security of lives and property for all and sundry within the zonal command.

“He also urged members of the public to reach him on his mobile line, 08055885544, whenever the needs arise.”