The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit has arrested two suspected members of the notorious street gang popularly known as Omotaku along the Oshodi–Agunlejika–Apapa Expressway.
The agency’s chairman, Mr Adetayo Akerele, confirmed the development in a statement released on Tuesday through the Taskforce spokesperson, Mr Raheem Gbadeyan.
According to Akerele, the suspects were caught while allegedly extorting money from a motorist whose vehicle broke down on the highway.
He explained that the arrest was made possible through intelligence provided by a concerned group known as ICU – To Soul a Soul.
“Acting on the tip-off, Taskforce operatives moved swiftly to the location and arrested the two suspects in the act,” Akerele said.
The suspects reportedly tried to mislead officers by claiming they were only a bystander and a revenue collector, but investigations revealed they were known Omotaku operatives who had been on the agency’s watchlist for a long time.
Akerele noted that the suspects had escaped arrest on several occasions despite repeated complaints from residents.
“I have received several calls and online complaints about these individuals who operate deceptively and pretend to be legitimate,” he said.
Further investigations revealed that the gang targeted vehicles transporting goods from Apapa Port, especially those that developed faults on the road.
One of the suspects allegedly confessed that they posed as government revenue agents, claiming they were protecting motorists from rival groups, before threatening to impound vehicles in order to extort money.
Read Also;
Army Deploys Special Forces Battalion to Plateau to Tackle Rising Attacks
The second suspect also admitted to blocking drivers from reaching their vehicles to create fear and force them into negotiations.
Akerele assured Lagos residents that the suspects would be prosecuted and warned others involved in similar activities to desist.
“This arrest should serve as a strong warning to anyone engaging in criminal acts under the guise of revenue enforcement. There is no room for criminality in Lagos,” he said.
He also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities through official channels or to the nearest police station.
The suspects are currently in custody and are expected to be charged to court soon.
