Lagos arrests hoodlums collecting levy on pedestrian bridge

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The Lagos State Government has apprehended two suspects accused of extorting traders and residents for using a pedestrian bridge in the Yaba area of the state.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this via his X handle on Thursday.

Wahab noted that the arrest was made in response to a viral video where the suspects were seen carrying out the act.

The suspects, whose identities were not disclosed were reported to have imposed N100 levy on each pedestrian with luggage.

The commissioner, who claimed to have ordered their immediate arrest, added that they would be charged to court.

He wrote, “In response to the viral video of some miscreants extorting traders and other Lagosians on a pedestrian bridge in Yaba, I instructed the Corps Marshal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial to immediately arrest the persons and the officer involved.

“They will be arraigned immediately in court while the clampdown on those on the run would continue.”

Meanwhile, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, on Tuesday, arrested no fewer than 63 people for allegedly crossing the highway and engaging in illegal street trading.

The state government had in February threatened to arrest and prosecute people crossing the major highways in the state rather than using the pedestrian bridges.