The chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi has vowed to deal decisively with any of the Agency’s operatives caught in the act of extortion, just as he ordered the immediate release of some vehicles impounded at the Agency’s traffic yard in Ikorodu.
Egbeyemi who paid unscheduled working visit to the traffic park yard on Wednesday, released those vehicles to their owners, despite various traffic offenses committed including driving against traffic, driving on BRT Lane, obstructions among others, after they all pleaded for mercy and admitted their wrong doings.
No fewer than seven vehicles were released to their respective owners, while others were informed to report at the unit office for proper identification and other processes.
Egbeyemi stated that his decision to free those vehicles was to prove that the Lagos State Government was not to create hardship in the State but it would also not tolerate lawlessness from members of the public.
While reading the riot act against extortion, Egbeyemi vowed that any taskforce member caught collecting bribe or extorting members of the public will face the wrath of the Law.
He explained that the action was also to inform Lagosians that the State Government does not encourage touting or bribery and that the Agency would take action against any of its agency’s officer found guilty of such crime.
In a release by Adebayo Taofiq, Head, Public Affairs Unit Egbeyemi maintained that the Unit will continue to have zero tolerance for driving against traffic to make recalcitrant motorists to be law-abiding.
“It is not that we are anti-masses. We fight those people that are adamant and defiant. We are not in a state of anarchy; we are in an orderly society where there must be law and order. We take offender to court, and once anyone is pronounced guilty, such ends in prison”
“How can a sane driver be driving against another vehicle coming with speed, this is how innocent people are killed”, the Chairman said.
Egbeyemi charged members of the taskforce to desist from any act that can dent the image of the unit, pointed out that it would be difficult to enforce law once they engage in corrupt act.
According to him, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police CP Edgal Imohimi has declared zero tolerance on corruption and declared that corruption would not have a place during his tenure as police boss in the State.
“Am appealing to lagosians to abide with the law and regulations that guide road use. Be a good citizen and don’t offer members of the taskforce bribe and in case any of them demand please kindly report.
Egbeyemi said the unit understands the plight of the masses, but that laws must be respected so as to make the State livable for people.
” These are things we do, but people don’t understand. It is my duty to raid when people are doing illegality”
One of the freed vehicles’ owner before leaving the traffic yard in Ikorodu cast blames of his wrong on passengers, though vowed not to succumb to pressure in the future.
Besides, one Segun Olusoga, a private taxi driver, claimed that a passenger he had in his vehicle pleaded with him to manoeuvre traffic that she was late for appointment.
“I drive Toyota Corolla car with registration number AGL 136 BH, in the process of trying to satisfy my client, I maneuver traffic and was caught but to my surprise the passenger eventually left me with my probkem”
The case of Akinpelu Atanda with plate number KSF 10 FB was similar as he admitted to wrong doing and also pleaded not to repeat it again.
” I don’t know why I was in a hurry, now that I was arrested where am rushing to, I can’t go again”, he said.
