Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat has declared that the practice of car spotters stopping luxury vehicles along the Lekki-Epe Expressway is criminal, vowing that the state government will clamp down on those involved. He made the remarks during an appearance on Nigeria Info FM, responding to concerns raised by broadcaster Jimi Disu.
Car Spotting Deemed Criminal Activity
Mr Hamzat’s comments came after Mr Disu highlighted the issue of car spotters stopping vehicles along the corridor. Car spotting, a pastime where enthusiasts seek out, photograph, or record unusual, exotic, and luxury vehicles, is practiced in several cities worldwide. However, the deputy governor’s concern centered on individuals stopping vehicles along the road.
“That is criminal and therefore, we will not allow it. We will take a lot of them off the streets,” Mr Hamzat said.
Arrests Made Following Complaints
Mr Hamzat also disclosed that the state government had arrested several people following Mr Disu’s complaint about individuals he described as a menace to society. He said surveillance cameras installed along the road had helped security agencies identify the suspects, leading to recent arrests.
“Well, a lot of people have been arrested. If you commit… a lot of cameras are also on that road, and people have been seen. And I can show you people; some people are in the Magistrate Court today. They were arrested last week or so. I think towards the end, no, over the weekend,” he said.
Harassment at Wedding of TikTokers
In a related matter, Mr Hamzat condemned the harassment of guests by area boys at the wedding of TikTokers Habeeb “Peller” Hamzat and Amadou “Jarvis” Aminata, describing the incident as unacceptable. He remarked while responding to a caller who asked what the government was doing to regulate such activities.
“I don’t know if you’ve seen the video. Some boys are saying, ‘Oh, we know Peller. He used to be here. He must give us our own.’ And a lot of them are giving cash. So as a society, that must be unacceptable. So the reality is that if we say, ‘Oh, it’s okay.’ We cannot control anything. Then we must be able to live with what we see as a people,” he said.
Mr Hamzat also referenced a past bill in the National Assembly to regulate social media, noting that while people opposed it on freedom grounds, regulation is necessary in many areas. “There is no nation where you don’t control things. Social media is a tool. I’m a computer scientist. It’s a tool. But, you know, we have this belief that, oh, we cannot just do anything,” he added.
