Five ‘Omotaku’ Gang Arrested for Alleged Extortion of Motorists in Abule-Egba
Kehinde Adeleye
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit has arrested five individuals suspected to be members of a notorious street gang known as “Omotaku,” accused of extorting motorists along the Aboru and Abule-Egba axis of the Abeokuta Expressway.
The operation, carried out on March 23, 2026, followed intelligence gathered over time and a tip-off from members of the public.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of the Taskforce, Adetayo Akerele, said the suspects had been under surveillance for a while due to repeated complaints about their activities.
According to him, the group operated by targeting motorists experiencing mechanical issues on the road.
“Investigations revealed that the suspects posed as roadside mechanics, offering assistance to stranded drivers before allegedly turning on them,” he said.
“They intimidate victims and demand money, threatening to tamper with vehicle parts such as batteries if their demands are not met.”
The suspects, aged between 23 and 38, were said to have focused mainly on commercial vehicles, particularly trucks transporting goods.
Authorities revealed that the gang functioned in a coordinated manner, with some members engaging the driver while others acted as backup to prevent victims from escaping or seeking help.
“Other members of the group played supporting roles, including blocking drivers from accessing their vehicles and removing side mirrors to create panic and force compliance,” Akerele added.
Following the arrests, the Taskforce boss warned that the state government would not tolerate any form of extortion or harassment of residents.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through official channels, stressing that community cooperation remains key to tackling such crimes.
