The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested two suspected street urchins, popularly known as “Omotaku”, at Oshodi Underbridge following an alleged attack on a motorist whose vehicle broke down along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.
The suspects, identified as Toheeb Bashiru, 22, and Damilola Wasiu, 26, were allegedly among a group of street urchins who harassed the motorist, threatened him and his company’s transport manager with cutlasses and other dangerous objects, and demanded money before allowing them to leave.
According to a statement by the Director of Public Affairs of the Lagos State Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the motorist and the transport manager had earlier parted with N15,000 to secure their release from another group of suspected street urchins.
However, the suspects allegedly approached the motorist again, removed his vehicle’s battery, side mirrors and jack, and demanded another N30,000 or their mobile phones.
The suspects were arrested by Taskforce operatives on routine monitoring patrol who reportedly responded swiftly after receiving intelligence about the incident.
Abdulraheem said Oshodi Underbridge had been identified by concerned motorists and residents as a hotspot for recurring cases of vehicle parts theft, extortion and harassment by street urchins popularly known as “Omotaku”.
He said the latest operation was part of efforts to curb the activities of suspected criminals and improve security for motorists using the area.
The Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the agency would sustain its enforcement operations against criminal activities across the state.
Akerele said continuous raids and renewed enforcement operations formed part of the agency’s commitment to its zero-tolerance stance against criminality.
He added that the suspects would be charged to court under the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law and the Special Offences Law.
