The Lagos State Government has taken swift action by apprehending two suspects accused of extorting traders and residents for using a pedestrian bridge in the Yaba area of the state.
According to the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the arrest was made in response to a viral video showing the suspects carrying out the extortion.
Wahab revealed that the suspects, whose identities were not disclosed, imposed a N100 levy on each pedestrian with luggage.
“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 to immediately arrest the persons and the officer involved,” Wahab stated.
He further added, “They will be arraigned immediately in court while the clampdown on those on the run would continue.”
The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps had previously arrested 63 individuals for crossing the highway and engaging in illegal street trading. This action aligns with the government’s stance to discourage crossing major highways and instead utilize pedestrian bridges.
In February, the state government had warned of the arrest and prosecution of individuals who fail to use pedestrian bridges and resort to crossing major highways, emphasizing the need for compliance with safety regulations.
