The Enugu State Government has banned all traffic task force operations on federal highways within the Enugu metropolis, ordering the immediate cessation of such activities as it intensifies efforts to clamp down on fake enforcement officials accused of harassing and extorting motorists.
The directive was announced on Monday by the Enugu State Ministry of Transport in a statement signed by the Commander of the Enugu State Traffic Management Authority (ESTMA), Mr. Kenneth Aniebonam Ugwu.
According to the ministry, the decision followed growing reports that impostors posing as officials of the Ministry of Transport had been operating illegally on federal highways, using the agency’s identity to intimidate and extort unsuspecting motorists.
To tackle the menace, the ministry said it had constituted a special enforcement team tasked with identifying, tracking and arresting those involved in the illegal operations.
The statement disclosed that several suspected fake traffic task force operatives had already been apprehended while allegedly extorting motorists at different locations across the Enugu metropolis.
According to the ministry, the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law upon the conclusion of investigations.
The government urged motorists and members of the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any encounter with suspected fake task force officials or any verified complaint involving traffic enforcement personnel to the Office of the ESTMA Commander through 08102382688 for prompt action.
The ministry warned that anyone caught harassing, intimidating or extorting road users under the guise of traffic enforcement would be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law.
The latest directive forms part of the Enugu State Government’s efforts to sanitise traffic enforcement operations, protect motorists from illegal extortion and restore public confidence in the state’s transport regulatory system.
