Connect with us


BIG STORY

Inside Lagos: Motorists Lament Widespread Extortion By LASTMA, Police Officers

Published

on

Following an investigation by Punch Metro, some Nigerians have lamented the increasing rate of extortion on Lagos roads by policemen and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.

Motorists and commuters, who shared their ordeals on different social media platforms, (such as Twitter, Facebook, Punch Online, etc) stated that the problem persisted because of the complicity of the authorities and lack of deterrence in the system.

It was earlier reported that Punch Metro carried out an investigation on a syndicate made up of policemen and LASTMA officers at the Berger-Isheri area of Lagos.

The correspondent, who disguised as a hawker and sold popcorn and face masks in traffic, observed for four hours as the group exploited motorists seeking to connect from the Berger-Isheri Road to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

This reporter noted that the green arrow of the old traffic light ran for about 20 seconds before indicating the amber and the red light.

Motorists, who left the waiting lane between 17th and 19th seconds, when the green light was still on, were arrested as soon as they got to the road linking the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

It was also gathered that the LASTMA officers and policemen stopped motorists and pointed their attention to the traffic light, which by then had turned red.

Punch Metro noted that the motorists were stopped on the instruction of a pot-bellied man in mufti, who entered the vehicles.

The dark-complexion man, with two others also in mufti, entered at least two Toyota Camry cars and did not alight until after a stop at a Point-of-Sale terminal shop.

While the investigation lasted, our correspondent noticed coordination among the uniformed officers, numbering seven, as motorists were extorted.

On PUNCH Online, a resident with the alias, 9ja Daddy, who seemed familiar with the syndicate, described the “pot-bellied” official as a multi-millionaire who had been operating at the junction for about eight years.

He said, “There are three extortion points there. Point 1 is the one mentioned. It is the exit towards Lagos-Ibadan expressway. It is controlled by Olowoira policemen. Hours of operation is just after 0500hrs.The dark guy in mufti on the right stopping the Land Rover is the head of the team. He is a multi-millionaire. He and his deputy have never worn a police uniform in eight years now. The other short policeman is an accomplice. There is another tall slim one in police uniform always wearing orange helmet. Then there are also two traffic wardens; the pot-bellied one (formerly at Omole Roundabout) and “slender Ojo” who rides a rickety motorcycle and lives at Ivenagbor Street, Ojodu (he has about six danfos plying Ojodu to Ogba/Ikeja). They will stop you midway on green then arrest you for red-light infraction.”

A reader, who identified himself as Akata, said LASTMA officers always extorted money from motorists at the FESTAC Town.

“The one that those criminal agents called LASTMA usually perpetrate at FESTAC Town by 1st gate, where we have a Nipco gas station and Apple Junction is terrible,” he stated.

On Twitter, a reader, Lumidee, said there was another syndicate operating on the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

“It is almost everywhere in Lagos now, and that’s how they do. They are on Lekki-Epe Expressway too. All of them are even fond of doing videos; the camera would capture u with the red light after you have passed,” he wrote.

A Facebook user, Usman Olalekan, described the extortion by policemen and LASTMA officers at the Iyana Ipaja Motor Park as “outrageous”.

“It is a business center for those police women there. They collect money without fear, every minute,” he wrote.

Another Facebook user, Adeyemo Nasir, said, “Traffic light by Ikeja under bridge inward Maryland- LASUTH. Another miliki point for LASTMA and police officers.”

A reader, Adeniran Adeniyi, while accusing LASTMA officers, said the authorities needed to pay attention to the harassment of motorists at the Ikorodu Roundabout.

He said, “Last week Saturday, I called their control office for a vehicle ahead of mine being wrongly arrested for the same complaint. But there was no response.”

A Facebook user, Mufutau Ajao, said there was a ‘synergy’ between policemen and LASTMA at the Ikeja Underbridge beside the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

Ajao added, “While that of Allen has another partner in CBD extorting motorists on a daily basis.”

A motorist, Seyi, said, “They even work with towing vehicles. End of Adeniran Ogunsanya where the traffic light is, there’s always a standby LASTMA lady always recording with her phone to catch innocent victims. Same with Ajao Estate via Isolo. Those ones are vampires.

In January 2021, the Lagos State Government launched a number plate detection platform, PayVIS, to capture vehicles violating traffic laws.

According to the state, cameras beside traffic lights will capture traffic offenders without the involvement of officials.

The platform was developed for the Lagos State Vehicle Inspection Service to track, monitor, and book traffic offenders.

In March 2021, the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also publicly launched body cameras for law enforcement agents as part of measures to enhance security and stop abuse of power.

Experts say the continuous harassment and extortion of motorists by security agents are indications of the abandonment of the two initiatives, which may have checked against such practices.

Credit: The Punch

BIG STORY

JUST IN: Super Eagles Receive National Honours, Housing, Land Documents Promised By Tinubu

Published

on

Members of Nigeria’s Super Eagles squad that finished second at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have officially received their national honours certificates as well as title documents for houses and land allocations promised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The presentation took place on December 22, 2025, at the team’s hotel in Fez, Morocco, ahead of the Super Eagles’ opening match of the new AFCON qualifying campaign.

President Tinubu had pledged the rewards following Nigeria’s runners-up finish at the 2023 AFCON tournament held in Côte d’Ivoire in January and February 2024.

The brief ceremony was led by Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Shehu Dikko, and attended by several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports, Senator Abdul Ningi; Chairman of the House Committee on Sports, Hon. Kabiru Amadu; Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale; President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Gusau; Senior Special Assistant to the President, Mrs. Nathan-Mash; Nigerian High Commission officials; and Mallam Saleh Amadu, among others.

Speaking at the event, Dikko clarified that most players were awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON).

However, Ahmed Musa and Victor Osimhen received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), having previously been conferred with the MON.

Team captain William Troost-Ekong was awarded the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in recognition of his emergence as Player of the Tournament at AFCON 2023.

Dikko confirmed that all national honours, housing allocations in Abuja or Lagos, and land grants in Abuja approved by President Tinubu had been fully processed, with allocation letters issued in line with the President’s commitment to rewarding excellence and national service.

He also disclosed that similar rewards approved for the Super Falcons and Nigeria’s men’s basketball team, D’Tigers, have been processed. Title documents for houses and national honours certificates are ready for collection, while the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation are finalising the direct payment of the cash awards — equivalent to $100,000 per player — into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

The development highlights a renewed focus on structured athlete welfare and accountability, as the Super Eagles shift attention back to their on-field responsibilities in the ongoing AFCON qualification campaign.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

US Launches $3,000 + Free Flight ‘Leave Voluntarily’ Immigration Plan

Published

on

The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a limited-time programme aimed at encouraging undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the country during the holiday season.

Migrants who register to self-deport through the CBP Home app by the end of the year will receive a $3,000 stipend, in addition to a free flight to their home country, DHS said in a statement Monday.

Participants will also qualify for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties related to failure to depart the United States.

According to DHS, approximately 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the country since January 2025, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home programme.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the holiday incentive as a temporary increase.

“Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home programme.

“During the Christmas season, the US taxpayer is so generously tripling the incentive to leave voluntarily for those in this country illegally—offering a $3,000 exit bonus, but just until the end of the year,” the statement read.

Noem added a warning for those who do not take part. “Illegal aliens should take advantage of this gift and self-deport because if they don’t, we will find them, we will arrest them, and they will never return,” she said.

The programme, called “Project Homecoming,” was established in May 2025 under a presidential proclamation issued by former President Donald Trump.

DHS initially offered $1,000 and a free flight to those willing to self-deport. Funding for the programme comes from $250 million originally allocated to resettle refugees, repurposed by the State Department.

DHS described the CBP Home app process as fast and free. Migrants simply download the app, submit their information, and DHS arranges and covers the cost of travel.

The department also warned that individuals who do not participate could face arrest, deportation, and permanent restrictions on returning to the United States.

 

 

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

KWAM1 Loses Bid To Block Awujale Selection Process

Published

on

The Ogun State High Court, sitting in Ijebu-Ode, on Monday refused to grant an interim injunction aimed at restraining Governor Dapo Abiodun and five others from proceeding with the selection and installation of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.

Ayinde, represented in court by Wahab Shittu (SAN), had sought the injunction pending the hearing of his substantive suit challenging the selection process.

But Justice A. A. Omoniyi dismissed the application, holding that the interim injunction lacked merit and that there were no strong grounds to justify its grant.

He subsequently ordered the expedited hearing of the substantive matter, fixing 14 January 2026 for proceedings.

KWAM1 had declared his interest in the vacant Awujale stool, claiming lineage from the Jadiara Royal House of the wider Fusengbuwa Ruling House.

However, the Fusengbuwa ruling house rejected his claim, stating that he is not from the royal house.

To challenge what he perceived as injustice, Ayinde filed a suit against the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Governor Abiodun, the Chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Dare Alebiosu, and three others.

The other respondents include the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat; Secretary of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, Oke Adebanjo; and the Chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, Dr Olorogun Sunny Kuku.

The suit, HC3/238/2025, was filed ex parte, citing Order 38 Rules 4 and Order 39 Rule 1 of the High Court of Ogun State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024, Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction

A copy of the court document dated 16 December 2025 was obtained by our correspondent.

Ayinde urged the court to restrain all respondents from further action on the Awujale selection process to protect his interest and preserve the res from being dissipated or interfered with.

He prayed the court to restrain the respondents, “their agents, or anyone acting on their behalf, from taking any steps in the installation process of the next Awujale of Ijebuland pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

The musician said he is an aspirant to the Awujale stool, “and the injunction is necessary to secure his interest and preserve the res from being dissipated or interfered with by the respondents.”

With the interim injunction denied, attention now turns to the substantive hearing scheduled for 14 January 2026, which will determine the fate of KWAM1’s claim to the Awujale stool.

Continue Reading


 

 


 

 

 

 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular


Warning: Undefined array key "slug" in /home/porsch10/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-theme-json.php on line 2117

Warning: Undefined array key "slug" in /home/porsch10/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-theme-json.php on line 2117

Warning: Undefined array key "slug" in /home/porsch10/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-theme-json.php on line 2117