The Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit on Tuesday said it arrested and detained 51 individuals who were part of a highway gang known for harassing and extorting truck drivers.
The suspects were arrested during special operations along the Apapa-Oshodi and Lagos-Badagry Expressway by the agency on Monday.
This was revealed by the Public Relations Officer of the agency, Mr Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
Abdulraheem said the group allegedly used aggressive tactics to coerce truck drivers into giving them money, claiming to work for the defunct Lagos State Parks and Garages Agency.
He said;” We have been on the trail of this gang for a while after receiving several complaints from road users who ply the corridors.
“We even heard of instances of drivers who refused to comply and later faced violent threats, including the removal of essential truck components such as batteries and mirrors right on the expressway,” he added.
The spokesperson also provided details on the legal actions taken against the suspects, stating that 51 individuals were charged to court, while eight pleaded guilty and received a seven-month imprisonment sentence or an alternative fine of N65,000.
