The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has rejected allegations that its officers extorted ₦100,000 from commercial bus drivers, following an internal investigation that found no evidence of wrongdoing.

The agency also called on media organisations to prioritise accuracy and verification, warning that false reports could damage public trust in government institutions.

Investigation Findings

Speaking after the probe, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the allegations were thoroughly examined by an investigative panel.

He explained that the vehicles involved were penalised for traffic violations, not extortion.

“The panel’s findings unequivocally established that the vehicles in question were apprehended for wilful obstruction, in contravention of extant traffic regulations,” he said.

According to him, all payments made by the drivers were legitimate and properly remitted to government accounts.

“These findings… decisively debunk the allegations of extortion,” he added.

Why It Matters

Traffic enforcement agencies like LASTMA play a key role in managing congestion in Lagos, one of Africa’s busiest urban centres.

Allegations of misconduct can erode public trust and discourage compliance with traffic laws.

At the same time, inaccurate reporting could mislead the public and damage institutional credibility.

Media Responsibility and Public Trust

Bakare-Oki stressed the importance of responsible journalism in a democratic society.

He described the media as essential in shaping public understanding and promoting civic responsibility.

“The dissemination of unverified claims and sensational narratives constitutes a grave threat to institutional credibility and public trust,” he said.

He urged journalists to adopt strict fact-checking practices before publishing reports.

Public Reaction and Expert View

Some media analysts say the situation highlights the tension between accountability reporting and misinformation risks.

Road users, meanwhile, often complain about enforcement practices, making transparency critical for agencies like LASTMA.

What’s Next

LASTMA says it will continue engaging with the media and the public through official channels.

The agency highlighted its toll-free hotline (080000527862) and a Physical Complaints Unit (PCU) where citizens can report incidents or verify claims.

It also reiterated its commitment to openness and accountability.

Nigeria’s push to establish state police must begin with a deep review of the country’s policing failures, according to the chairman of the Police Service Commission.

Hashimu Salihu Argungu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, made the call when he received members of the Committee for the Implementation of State Police at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

The delegation, led by Olu Ogunsakin, said it was consulting the commission to draw on its institutional experience as Nigeria explores a major reform of its policing system.

The committee is tasked with proposing a framework for how state police structures would operate, including recruitment, training standards and resource allocation.

Why the State Police Debate Matters

Calls for state police have grown louder in recent years amid concerns over rising insecurity and the limits of a centrally controlled policing system.

Nigeria currently operates a single national police force — the Nigeria Police Force — which critics say is overstretched in a country of more than 200 million people.

Supporters of state police argue that decentralising law enforcement could improve response times and local intelligence gathering.

But opponents warn that such a system could be abused by political leaders at the state level.

PSC Chairman: “Find out what went wrong”

Speaking during the meeting, Mr Argungu urged the committee to first diagnose the root causes of the current policing challenges.

“Find out what went wrong that necessitated the quest for the creation of state police,” he advised.

He said the committee should carefully examine the relationship between federal and state offences and the broader legal framework guiding policing in Nigeria.

The PSC chairman also warned that some laws guiding policing may no longer be relevant.

He stressed the need to review whether certain statutes had become obsolete in the 21st century.

Committee Seeks PSC’s Experience

Professor Ogunsakin said the committee recognised the commission’s experience in the policing sector.

“We cannot do it alone without tapping from the wisdom of the PSC,” he said.

“We are here to tap from your wealth of knowledge regarding the task before us to review the landscape, structure, and foundation to assist the Nigeria Police Force to move forward.”

He described Mr Argungu as a “fountain of knowledge”.

Learning from Global Models

Mr Argungu also encouraged the committee to examine how state policing works in other countries.

He said studying global models could help Nigeria avoid mistakes and adapt effective practices.

The chairman advised the committee to analyse the challenges faced by other countries operating decentralised policing systems before designing a Nigerian model.

He also urged members not to rush the process.

The committee, he said, should request more time if necessary to produce a well-considered framework.

Who Was Present

Several members of the commission’s board attended the meeting.

They included:

Paul Adamu Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, representing the judiciary.

Taiwo Lakanu, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police.

Onyemuche Nnamani, Secretary to the commission.

What Happens Next

The state police committee is expected to produce recommendations that will guide government decisions on whether and how state police could be established.

Any final decision would likely require constitutional amendments and legislative approval.

For many Nigerians, the debate is ultimately about whether a decentralised policing system could improve safety and accountability across the country.

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has denied allegations that senior police officers paid ₦5 million each to secure promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

The claims were reported by the online platform Sahara Reporters, which alleged that officers paid bribes to influence the promotion process.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the commission described the report as “reckless” and said the allegations were unfounded.

“The Police Service Commission categorically denies these unfounded allegations in their entirety and describes the report as a reckless attempt to tarnish the image of both the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement said.

The commission added that promotions from Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to ACP followed established procedures.

“Contrary to the narrative peddled by the online publication, the promotion of the senior officers from Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to ACP followed due process and established guidelines of the Commission,” it said.

How police promotions work

The PSC is the statutory body responsible for appointing, promoting and disciplining police officers in Nigeria, except the Inspector-General of Police.

According to the commission, promotion recommendations typically originate from the Inspector-General of Police based on vacancies and officer performance.

However, final approval rests with the commission.

“The role of the IGP in the promotion process is to forward recommendations based on vacancy and performance, but the final approval rests solely with the Commission as a body,” the statement said.

It added that allegations of a “pay-to-play” system were insulting to the integrity of the board members overseeing promotions.

“To suggest that the Commission operates a ‘pay-to-play’ system is an insult to the integrity of the Board Members who oversee these exercises.”

Why the allegations matter

Promotions within the Nigeria Police Force are closely scrutinised because they affect leadership, morale and public confidence in law enforcement.

Accusations of corruption in promotion processes could undermine trust in the system and raise concerns about merit and accountability within the force.

Transparency advocates have long argued that promotion processes across Nigeria’s public institutions must remain open and merit-based to maintain credibility.

PSC challenges report, threatens legal action

The commission has asked Sahara Reporters to provide evidence supporting its claims.

“We challenge Sahara Reporters to provide verifiable evidence to support their claim of bribery rather than relying on hearsay from ‘insider sources’,” the statement said.

It also dismissed references in the report to the former Inspector-General of Police.

“The reference in the report to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police is mischievous and calculated to lend false credence to a baseless story.”

The PSC said documents cited by the publication only confirmed that promotions were approved and did not show evidence of financial transactions.

“The documents referenced, including the internal police wireless message, only confirm that promotions were approved — which is a routine administrative function.”

The commission added it was considering legal action against the platform.

“We are considering legal action against Sahara Reporters for defamation and damage to the reputation of the Commission.”

What’s next

The PSC said it remains committed to merit-based promotions within the police.

It also encouraged officers or members of the public with credible evidence of misconduct to formally petition the commission.

“Any officer or member of the public with credible evidence of misconduct is encouraged to petition the Commission directly, rather than feed sensationalist media narratives,” the statement said.

Industry and public perspective

Governance experts say transparency in public sector promotions remains critical to strengthening trust in institutions.

Analysts note that corruption allegations involving security agencies often generate public interest because they affect national security and institutional credibility.

They argue that independent verification and formal investigations, where necessary, are key to resolving such disputes.