LASTMA arrests fake officer over N140,000 extortion – Newstrends
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LASTMA arrests fake officer over N140,000 extortion

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LASTMA officers on duty

LASTMA arrests fake officer over N140,000 extortion

Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) have apprehended an alleged serial impersonator for  allegedly collecting N140,000 from owners of vehicles impounded over traffic infractions.

The vehicles were impounded by LASTMA.

The agency’s Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Taofiq Adebayo, confirmed the  development in a statement yesterday.

Adebayo said the suspect was apprehended by the monitoring and surveillance team of the agency at Oshodi.

He said the suspect was nabbed after the agency received complaints of extortions from owners of inter-state commercial buses,  impounded and ticketed for traffic infractions around Moshalasi by the Alaka area of Surulere.

Adebayo explained that investigations conducted,  revealed that the suspect, Femi Adegbemi, had been collecting huge amounts of money from innocent owners of vehicles impounded by LASTMA officials during enforcement operations.

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“The arrested suspect collected N140,000 from owners/drivers by promising to help them get their impounded vehicles released from the agency’s custody.”

“It is disheartening getting complaints from road users,  particularly owners of impounded vehicles on activities of these unscrupulous elements impersonating and extorting money from them. By such acts, they are  tarnishing the image of the agency before the public,” he said.

Adebayo said the General Manager of LASTMA, Bakare-Oki Olalekan, warned the public to be wary of such  unscrupulous elements, noting that the agency operated a cashless policy.

He said that apprehended violators were often charged to court via a ‘Referral Notice’ issued to them, assuring that more surveillance/monitoring personnel had been strategically deployed to hunt unscrupulous elements,  duping innocent motoring public across the state.

The 56-year-old suspect,  Adegbemi, was said to have confessed to the crime.

“He confessed that he collected N140,000 from owners of the impounded inter-state commercial vehicles.

“Adegbemi  who confirmed to be living at 9, Anifowose Street, Somolu, confessed further to be making an average of N250,000 weekly from the illegal deal with his other colleagues.

“He, however, promised to turn a new leaf if let off the hook by the state  government.”

LASTMA arrests fake officer over N140,000 extortion

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Gunmen abduct three people from Anambra community

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Anambra State Police command’s spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga

Gunmen abduct three people from Anambra community

Gunmen terrorising Nigeria’s South-East region have abducted three persons in Anambra State.

The victims were abducted near the Innoson Motorcycle Showroom along Onitsha-Owerri Road end in the Nnewi North Local Government Area of the State.

A local privy to the incident said it occurred late on Tuesday, as the victims were driving along the road.

One of the sources said, “The three persons were in a vehicle when armed men suddenly blocked them with their vehicle. They ordered the victims to alight and as they alight, they forced them into their vehicle and immediately zoomed off.

“One of the assailants entered into their victims’ vehicle and also drove off and driving behind the other vehicle the victims were in. The incident, which happened within a split of seconds created panic on the road and around the vicinity. Because it was already dark, we couldn’t get the exact picture of what the vehicles look like.”

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The Anambra State Police Spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident on Wednesday.

He said the police were already working with information obtained from the scene for the ongoing rescue operations.

Ikenga said, “Anambra Joint Security Forces are on the offensive for possible rescue unhurt of three abducted victims and arrest of the abductors today, 26/11/2024 by 6:45 pm at Innoson Motorcycle Showroom along Owerri Road, Nnewi.

“The police command is determined and is already working with information obtained from the scene for the ongoing rescue operations.

“The command also urged residents or anyone with useful information that will aid the investigation to come forward to the Command headquarters, Awka, or the nearest police station

 

Gunmen abduct three people from Anambra community

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Drama as Yahaya Bello calms supporters after judge storms out of court over rowdiness

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Yahaya Bello in court

Drama as Yahaya Bello calms supporters after judge storms out of court over rowdiness

Judge Maryann Anenih of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court abruptly exited the courtroom due to the unruly behavior of Yahaya Bello’s numerous supporters.

The former Kogi governor faced a 19-count charge related to alleged money laundering on November 27.

Bello pleaded not guilty to the majority of the charges.

Prior to the proceedings, Bello’s supporters overwhelmed the courtroom, causing security operatives to struggle with crowd control.

Many journalists were denied entry to the courtroom as tensions escalated.

Judge Anenih entered to take the pleas of Bello and his co-defendants but departed abruptly, stating she wouldn’t return until order was restored.

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Shortly after the judge’s exit, Bello approached the agitated crowd and directed them to leave the courtroom.

With outstretched arms, Bello successfully instructed his supporters to vacate their seats and exit. His followers obeyed, leaving the courtroom one by one.

To maintain order, a smiling Bello sat at the entrance, ensuring none of his supporters re-entered.

The EFCC apprehended Bello on November 26, following an April declaration of his wanted status.

 

Drama as Yahaya Bello calms supporters after judge storms out of court over rowdiness

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NAF destroys terrorists’ gun truck, neutralises 20 fighters

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NAF destroys terrorists’ gun truck, neutralises 20 fighters

NAF destroys terrorists’ gun truck, neutralises 20 fighters

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