By Adeyinka Aderibigbe
The Lagos State Government have said some officials of the Transport Operations and Compliance Unit (TOCU) caught apprehending and extorting innocent motorists would if found culpable face the music.
The Ministry of Transportation in a statement signed by the Assistant Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Bolanle Ogunlola, stated that the workers went beyond the scope of the directive given to them and deviated from their intended duties to engage in the despicable act.
Instead of following their directive to place removal notices on abandoned vehicles found impeding on traffic in some parts of the State, they were reported to have apprehended some motorists and engaged in extortion.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation takes these allegations very seriously and swift actions have been taken to address the situation. The officials involved in this inappropriate behaviour have been apprehended and are currently under investigation.
“The Ministry wishes to assure the public that such actions do not represent the ethical standards it upholds as the primary goal of the Transport Operations and Compliance Unit is to ensure the smooth flow of traffic, promote road safety, and enforce compliance with relevant transportation regulations.”
The Ministry acknowledges that the actions of a few individuals should not tarnish the reputation of the entire unit, which consists of many dedicated professionals committed to serving the public.
Moving forward, the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation is committed to the implementation of measures that will prevent such incidents from occurring again. This includes reinforcing proper training and ethical conduct among its officials.
Also in this category of reports are some fake officials operating under the guise of the banned Removal of Abandoned Vehicle Committee and TOCU apprehending innocent Motorists and extorting them.
The Ministry encourages the public to report any instances of misconduct or extortion they encounter from these charades of Officers, as their cooperation is essential in maintaining transparency and accountability.
The Ministry extends its gratitude to the public for their vigilance in reporting these incidents, as it reflects the strong partnership between the government and the people of the State. By holding Officials accountable for their actions, the Ministry aims to restore trust and confidence in the Enforcement Agencies responsible for ensuring transportation compliance and safety within the State.