Lagos Taskforce arrests 2 suspected Omotaku members on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway
Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit has arrested two suspected members of the notorious street gang popularly known as Omotaku along the Oshodi–Agunlejika–Apapa Expressway.
The arrest was confirmed on Tuesday by the Chairman of the agency, Mr Adetayo Akerele, in a statement issued by the Taskforce’s spokesperson, Mr Raheem Gbadeyan.
Akerele said the suspects were apprehended while allegedly extorting money from a motorist whose vehicle had broken down on the busy highway.
He explained that the operation was carried out following actionable intelligence provided by a civic group, ICU – To Soul a Soul.
“Based on the information received, our operatives immediately moved to the location and arrested the suspects in the process of extorting the motorist,” Akerele stated.
According to him, the suspects initially attempted to mislead operatives by claiming they were a bystander and a revenue official.
However, preliminary investigations revealed that they were well-known members of the Omotaku syndicate.
He noted that the duo had been on the agency’s watchlist for some time, having allegedly evaded arrest on several occasions despite numerous complaints from members of the public.
“I have personally received several reports and online complaints about these individuals, who disguise themselves as legitimate operatives while carrying out criminal activities,” Akerele said.
He disclosed that one of the suspects confessed that the gang deliberately targets trucks and vehicles conveying goods from Apapa Port whenever they develop faults along the expressway.
“The suspects usually pose as government revenue collectors, claiming they are offering protection from rival groups, before intimidating motorists with threats of vehicle seizure,” he added.
Akerele revealed that the second suspect admitted to deliberately obstructing drivers from accessing their vehicles as a tactic to instill fear and force them into negotiations.
The Taskforce chairman assured residents that the suspects would be prosecuted in line with the law, stressing that the agency remains committed to sanitising Lagos roads.
“This arrest should serve as a strong warning to criminal elements who hide under the guise of revenue enforcement. Lagos will not tolerate such activities,” he said.
He urged members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities through the agency’s official channels or to the nearest police station, confirming that the suspects are currently in custody and will be charged to court.
