The Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) in collaboration with security outfits, has apprehended a syndicate of impostors who have been extorting unsuspecting motorists under the guise of traffic enforcement officers.
Speaking during an interview with Journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, the Executive Chairman of OYRTMA, Maj. Adesagba Adekoya (rtd), said the agency had been inundated with complaints from residents and road users about the activities of these criminals, who often impersonate OYRTMA officials to carry out their schemes.
“For a while now, we have been receiving numerous complaints from motorists and the good people of Oyo State about the activities of some groups perpetrating mischief in traffic. You may recall the incident on the 9th of last month when a banker was accosted and robbed of ₦85,000 by individuals posing as OYRTMA officials. That was just one of many cases,” he explained.
According to him, OYRTMA, working in conjunction with Amotekun Corps and Operation Burst, launched a decisive operation in Egbeda and Lagelu Local Government Areas to dismantle the syndicate.
“During the operation, we recovered about 95 number plates already seized from motorists, several vehicle batteries ranging from 75 to 150 amps, and fake tickets showing extortion sums as high as N85,000 and N90,000. We also arrested eight suspects in Egbeda, who have since been handed over to the police at Testing Ground for further investigation,” he revealed.
Maj. Adekoya stressed that the sole responsibility of traffic management in Oyo State lies with OYRTMA and not the local governments.
“The full responsibility for traffic management in Oyo State rests with OYRTMA. While local governments can enforce no-parking signs and related matters, they do not have the authority to apprehend vehicles for traffic violations. That is an exclusive function of OYRTMA. Unfortunately, these criminals exploit the confusion to extort innocent citizens,” he said.
He added that unlike the impostors, OYRTMA operates within the law by subjecting offenders to due process.
“When we apprehend offenders, we don’t just hand them tickets arbitrarily. We have a tribunal within OYRTMA where they undergo a judicial process to ensure fair hearing. These impostors simply extort money on the spot. That is why we are determined to flush them out with the help of security agencies,” he assured.
The OYRTMA chairman advised motorists to always demand proper identification before complying with anyone claiming to be a traffic official.
“Our staff have valid identity cards and uniforms. We also created complaint channels recently so that people can report suspicious activities directly to us. Don’t fall into the hands of fraudsters. If in doubt, call our numbers and alert us immediately,” he urged.
Maj. Adekoya further reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring a fair and lawful traffic management system in Oyo State, free from illegal harassment and extortion.
