Lagos State residents have been alerted as some desperate robbers have now adopted a new method to steal people’s cars.
Reports received by OsunDailyNG revealed that one of the suspects involved in the evil act has been arrested, and is currently being interrogated by the state police command.
It was gathered that the robbers are now using a towing van with the inscription of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to whisk away people’s cars from their parks in the state.
LATSMA, however, has distanced itself from the act, denying the driver arrested, saying that he was impersonating the government agency.
A woman was said to have recently made a video clip lamenting how some thieves attempted to tow her SUV with a towing van boldly having the inscription LATSMA written on it.
She claimed that around 2 a.m., she saw a towing van towing her SUV and suspected foul play and immediately raised the alarm, which attracted other neighbours who joined her in chasing the hoodlums, who eventually took to their heels and abandoned the towing van and her vehicle.
According to Daily Sun, the woman, who wondered why a Lagos State Government car would be used to commit a felony with impunity, thanked God and her neighbours for their interventions.
Reacting to the disturbing development, LATSMA, in a statement issued through its Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said that the driver of the towing vehicle is not an official of LASTMA.
“It is important to inform the general public, particularly motoring public, that the driver Adejumo Fatai, has been apprehended and is currently at Pedro Police Station for further investigation.
“Investigations revealed that the arrested towing van driver, Adejumo Fatai, impersonated as one of the LASTMA Towing Van Operators with a fake identity card and fake LASTMA Tow Franchisee’s Sticker,” the agency noted in the statement.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Bolaji Oreagba, however, implored members of the public to be wary of unscrupulous elements trying to dent the image of the Agency.
He said: “In case of any complaint, comment and observation, you can reach Lastma via hotlines 08100565860, 08129928503, 08129928597”.
