Ten of the arrested touts specialise in extorting money from motorists whose vehicles broke down on the highways, while 13 under aged hoodlums who found abode at Railway line, Oshodi were also arrested.
Speaking with Community Mirror on the activities of his agency, Task Force Chairman, CSP, Bayo Sulaimon disclosed that the development was part of the task force’s renewed efforts at enforcing the Lagos traffic law which prohibits touting on highways.
He said: “This is another demonstration of war against hoodlums; we will not allow them take over the state. They were arrested when we raided Oshodi, Ketu, Ojota and other areas. Some were arrested when some of our personnel went in disguise.
“The 13 under aged miscreants were arrested at Oshodi railway line. They will not tell us whether they have relations in the state, we are thinking of what to do with them in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Social Development. They are below 18 years of age; they will be arraigned in court. Every time we clear Oshodi of miscreants, new set of hoodlums take their place. We will continue to rid the place of street kids”.
Some of them will be taken to Boys Remand Home in Abeokuta that can take care of the hardened ones among them”
“Some of the miscreants on highway were arrested at Iyana-Iba, Mile 2. You can see some of them in NURTW uniforms. They have disobeyed the law and that is why they have been arrested. The law says they should restrict their toll collection to parks and not on the roads”
On the continuous selling of alcohol, marijuana and other hard drugs at various motor parks in the state, Sulaiman said the agency had begun meeting with leadership of the drivers’ unions on how to eradicate them, adding that aside the fact that such practices is forbidden, the drivers are doing more harm to themselves by drinking or taking hard drugs.
