Police arrest hoodlums collecting levy on pedestrian bridge in Yaba
The Lagos State Government has arrested two individuals who have been accused of extorting money from businesses and residents for utilising a pedestrian bridge in the Yaba region of the state.
Tokunbo Wahab, the state commissioner for environment and water resources, disclosed his X account on Thursday.
Wahab claimed that a viral video showing the accused performing the deed sparked the arrest.
The unidentified culprits were claimed to have enforced a fee of N100 on every pedestrian carrying bags.
The commissioner, who asserted to have instructed their prompt apprehension, further stated that they will face charges in a court of law.
He stated that in reaction to the widely circulated video depicting individuals engaging in illegal activities and extorting money from traders and residents of Lagos on a pedestrian bridge in Yaba, they gave a direct order to the Corps Marshal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, to promptly apprehend both the individuals and the officer implicated in the incident.
He further stated that they will promptly bring the arrested individuals and officers before a court of law, and they will persist in their efforts to apprehend those who are currently evading capture.
The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps apprehended a total of 63 individuals on Tuesday for unlawfully crossing the roadway and participating in illicit street vending.
In February, the state administration issued a warning to apprehend and legally pursue anybody who uses the main roadways inside the state instead of utilising the designated pedestrian bridges.
By Nnaemeka Odenigbo
