By Omotosho Victor Fiyinfoluwa (SIWES Student, Federal Polytechnic Ado-Ekiti)
Jubril Gawat, a media aide to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed that some highway gangs parading themselves as members of the defunct Lagos State Parks and Garages Agency have been harassing truck drivers along the Apapa/ Oshodi and Lagos/Badagry Expressway.
Gawat disclosed this following the arrest of 51 notorious members of a highway gang.
The arrest was carried out by the Lagos State Taskforce today (Tuesday, 6th February 2024) led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye.
In a statement on his X handle, Gawat said the suspects have been identified for their brazen tactics, whereby they oerce truck drivers to part with money.
He said this act by the gang is carried out under the pretext of working for the Lagos State Parks and Garages Agency.
He stated that operating with impunity, the gang has subjected many drivers to physical harm and acts of bestiality when they resist extortion attempts.
Commenting on the issue, Jejeloye expressed disgust at the manner in which the gang wreak unnecessary havoc on the highways in the name of Parks and Garages despite the official pronouncement on the ban on the activities of the agency late last year.
He revealed that the 51 apprehended suspects have been charged to court where eight out of them pleaded guilty and were sentenced to seven months imprisonment with an option of 65,000 Naira fine.
He added that the remaining 43 pleaded not guilty and their hearing adjourned till the 1st of March 2024.
