By Moses Akaigwe
The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has condemned the actions of some of its Transport Operations and Compliance Unit (TOCU) officials recently alleged to have apprehended motorists and engaged in extortion, contrary to their mandate.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Engr. Abdulhafiz Toriola, said in a statement on Thursday that the officials who deviated from their directive to place removal notices on abandoned vehicles obstructing traffic flow, “have been apprehended and are currently under investigations.”
Engr. Toriola said in the statement, “In the recent events involving the Transport Operations and Compliance Unit, officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, certain Officials were unfortunately found to have deviated from their intended duties.
“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.”