BY OLASUNKANMI AKONI  &  EBUN SESSOU

LAGOS—Worried by the sudden emergence of uniformed traffic-men on Lagos roads, the  Lagos State House of Assembly, through the Speaker, Adeyemi Ikuforiji called the attention of Attorney General of the state, Justice Ade Ipaye to the activity of the men, named Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, FERMA, at Lagos end of old Lagos/Ibadan toll gate controlling traffic, saying the development could lead to security threat.

The speaker spoke at the plenary, when the House was questioning the Commissioner for Finance, Ayo Gbeleyi and Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye on the non-payment of severance to past political office holders in the state.
According to him; “These people in strange uniforms were seen at toll gate controlling traffic and we may find them all over Lagos very soon. This can lead to problem. We should call on relevant authorities to caution them.”

The Attorney General, who also confirmed the development, said he saw them controlling traffic but maintained that, “there is the need to investigate and know the people who have employed them, there should be a legal backing for their operation.”

According to Ipaye, Minister of State for Defence, Mr Musiliu Obanikoro, who was earlier alerted of the presence of the men, denied knowledge of the people.
Similarly, Commissioner of Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, confirmed the development, saying “An unknown group dressed in grey and black uniforms have invaded the highways in Lagos and currently operating from the old toll gate area with unknown origin and unknown to the Lagos State Government have invaded the roadways with a view to causing public disturbance as they do not have the support or the backing of the state government and will therefore disturb the operations of the state traffic management personnel already positioned at various traffic points across the state.”

The Lagos State Government is therefore using this medium to call on the handlers of this faceless group to withdraw them immediately so as not to breach the peace and tranquility the state currently enjoys.”
The State House of Assembly had earlier raised alarm over the presence and activities of the black uniformed individuals who allegedly identified themselves as Federal Task force under FERMA.