Cracking Down on Fake Traffic Enforcement in Lagos

If you're a driver in Lagos, you may have heard whispers or even experienced firsthand the shady business of fake traffic officers lurking at busy crossroads. These guys dress the part, some even link up with rogue police officers, flag you down, and before you know it, your wallet feels a lot lighter. The Lagos State Government isn't having it anymore.

Earlier this year, February 2024, saw a major sting where authorities nabbed 11 impostors operating as traffic officers. The crackdown didn't stop there. Fast-forward to July 2024, and the net caught even more suspects, with two caught red-handed at Cele Ijesha Roundabout, Itire. Their favorite haunts? Mushin, Itire, Ijesha, Ilasa, and the bustling hub that is Ikeja. These aren’t random acts—they’re organized operations, with some fake officers boldly shadowed by legitimate-looking police officers, making it hard for regular folks to tell what's legit and what's a scam.

The Government's Response and Public Warning

The brains behind this renewed fight is Olawale Musa, the Permanent Secretary of the <>Lagos traffic enforcement<> Ministry. He’s made it clear: anyone caught impersonating an officer will face the full weight of the law. The government’s method isn’t just routine patrol—they’re running stings, watching hotspots, and making sure that every hand in the illegal pot is identified and dealt with.