The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning against the growing menace of illegal “car spotters” and street urchins targeting luxury vehicle owners along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, pledging an aggressive, sustained security crackdown to dismantle the operation.
​Speaking on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during an interactive session on Nigeria Info FM, Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat condemned the practice of blocking moving traffic to record exotic cars or extort drivers, labeling the behavior as purely criminal and a major threat to public safety.
​What began as a trend of young automotive enthusiasts photographing rare supercars has devolved into organized road harassment along the Lekki–Ajah transit axis. Aggressive groups of youths now routinely obstruct high-end vehicles, forcibly halting drivers in middle-of-the-road ambushes to demand cash handouts, creating severe traffic gridlock and collision risks.
​The issue was highlighted by veteran broadcaster Jimi Disu, who raised alarm over the safety hazards and intimidation tactics faced by motorists daily along the corridor.
​”That is criminal, and therefore, we will not allow it. We will take a lot of them off the street. A lot of people have been arrested… Some people are in the Magistrate Court today following arrests made over the weekend.” Dr. Obafemi Hamzat stated.
​To counter the threat, the state government is leveraging its newly upgraded Command and Control security infrastructure across major highways.
There are high-definition traffic cameras installed along the Lekki-Epe corridor are being actively monitored to identify, track, and dispatch teams to arrest recurring offenders.
The operatives from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) executed targeted late-night and weekend swoops, clearing hotspot zones along the route.
Dozens of suspects rounded up during recent enforcement drives have already been arraigned before the Magistrate Court to face charges of public nuisance and extortion.
​Reinforcing the government’s stance, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed that inter-agency operations will continue until the corridor is entirely clear. Wahab also appealed to high-profile motorists, influencers, and celebrities to stop handing out cash on the highway, warning that enabling the spotters only fuels the aggressive behavior.
​The state government reiterated that major transport corridors across Lagos must remain safe and accessible for all road users, warning that anyone caught disrupting traffic flows will face the full weight of the law.
