A man, Mr. Adewunmi Taiwo, was recently arrested in Lagos for pretending to be an officer of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Mr. Taiwo, 45, has confessed to earning up to ₦750,000 every month by intimidating and extorting money from motorists over fake traffic violations.

LASTMA officials caught Taiwo in a sting operation on Oshodi Bridge, where he had been using a white Hiace Coaster Bus with the registration number KJA 724 YJ to look like an official. Inside his vehicle, officers found a LASTMA uniform and raincoat, confirming that he was using these items to trick drivers.

According to LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the agency received complaints about the suspicious bus being used for extortion. Taiwo admitted that he targeted high-traffic areas like Ikorodu Road and the Oshodi to Mile-2 Expressway, making between ₦15,000 and ₦25,000 daily from his activities.

Bakare-Oki warned that LASTMA will continue to protect its reputation and take action against anyone misusing its identity. He urged motorists to stay alert and report suspicious behavior using LASTMA’s toll-free hotlines. The agency remains committed to ensuring smooth and honest traffic management in Lagos.