By Olasunkanmi Akoni
Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce have arrested five suspected street urchins, popularly known as “Omotaku,” for allegedly extorting motorists along the Aboru–Abule-Egba axis of the Abeokuta Expressway.
The suspects — Alade Olarewaju, 25; Oluwadamilare Alabi, 38; Sunday Idowu, 32; Rabiu Ibrahim, 29; and Raji Yusuf, 23 — were apprehended on Monday following a tip-off received through the agency’s hotline.
According to the Taskforce, the group specialized in targeting motorists whose vehicles developed mechanical faults on the highway. They allegedly posed as helpers before harassing and extorting money from their victims.
The arrest was made after a motorist, who was about to be extorted, alerted the agency. Operatives swiftly responded and apprehended the suspects, who had reportedly evaded arrest on several previous occasions.
Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the agency had long been tracking the group following multiple complaints from the public about their activities in the Abule-Egba area.
“These individuals harass motorists and demand money under the guise of enforcing nonexistent regulations. Their activities will not be tolerated,” Akerele said.
He urged residents to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the agency’s feedback channels, stressing that there is no room for criminality in Lagos.
Some of the suspects confessed to the crime, admitting that they targeted vehicles transporting goods and trucks that broke down on highways.
“We approach them pretending to help, then intimidate them and threaten to remove vehicle batteries until they pay,” one of the suspects said.
Others admitted to blocking drivers from accessing their vehicles or removing side mirrors to create panic and force compliance.
The suspects have since been arraigned in court on a three-count charge bordering on illegal collection of fees, obstruction of motorists, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.
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