Lagos nabs 3 impostors, urges residents to report impersonators

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State Government has urged residents of the State to always report suspected impostors to the authorities, as Security Officers apprehended three individuals impersonating officials of the State Ministry of the Environment and extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public.

The Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, who made the call on Friday, said Messrs Olusegun Wasiu, Shina Ahmed and Muyiwa Olusegun were apprehended by a team from the Ministry after a tip-off to the Director, Enforcement and Advocacy, Dr. Tajudeen Afolabi, when the culprits attempted to extort money from developers in the Lekki-Ajah area of the State.

While imploring Lagosians to be wary of individuals who usually deceive people using fake identification, the Commissioner stressed that such people do not represent the Lagos State Government and that stiff penalties await impostors when caught.

Durosinmi-Etti hinted that Lagos State Officials, particularly the Ministry of the Environment officers, usually operate in groups and are always accompanied by men of the Nigerian Police Force anytime they engage in enforcement duties.

He further charged the people to always validate from the Ministry any notice issued when in doubt, adding that Lagosians should feel free to report suspected impostors to the Ministry or the nearest police station.

The Commissioner warned that no individual or groups would be allowed to hide under the State Government’s resolve to maintain zero tolerance to all forms of environmental abuse and extort the people, adding that anyone caught impersonating government officials would be dealt with in accordance with the law.