Some motorists plying the Onike axis, Yaba, and Ajao Estate, Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos State, have decried the absence of clear road signs in the communities.

They lamented that policemen and local government workers continuously exploited the situation to extort money from them while claiming that they violated the state traffic laws.

In Lagos State, driving against traffic (one-way) is an offence punishable by forfeiture.

The state government recently auctioned 134 vehicles forfeited by their owners over the offence.

The exercise was greeted with mixed reactions, as some residents recounted driving on unmarked roads and accused the state government of not fulfilling its part.

During a visit to the Onike axis, Yaba, it was observed that motorists heading towards the University of Lagos, Akoka, via the Onike Roundabout are expected to keep right into Lawani Street and avoid entering the one-way route that leads to University Road.

On Barikisu Iyede Street (also called Onike Road), the signage which bears the inscription, ‘One way — Do not enter,’ is covered with some dark spots.

Residents said that some local government officials lay ambush at the end of the road to arrest unsuspecting motorists.

A tricycle rider, Martins Adu, said the officers usually hid at the junction to arrest vehicles coming through the axis.

He said, “They are always hiding at the University Road junction, waiting for vehicles coming towards them. They tell the drivers that they have committed an offence and threaten to take them to their office. So, most times, drivers end up paying them.”

Another transport worker in the area, who identified himself only as Emeka for security reasons, said, “Some motorists often claim they do not know the road is a one-way route. Sometimes, we see them arguing at the spot.”

It was observed how a black Toyota Corolla, which took the route, was accosted by the officials. After about 10 minutes of exchanging words, the driver turned back to take the right route.

Also, at Ajao Estate, Oshodi-Isolo LGA, our correspondent observed that the one-way signage on Niyi Ogunbameru Street, which redirects motorists into Alhaji Lukman Atobajeun Street, is not conspicuous.

In fact, the sign is mounted half way into the road, which is far from the junction.

According to residents, policemen often stay at the location to extort money from motorists, who drive into the road linking Chivita and Vincent Ezeh Street.

At least two vehicles were stopped by the police officers numbering three in the presence of our correspondent.

The arrested motorists were allowed to go after some form of negotiation and settlement.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, said the state government would work on the road signs in the areas.

He said, “The Commissioner for Transportation goes around monitoring traffic lights that are not working and his team reports to the engineers working on them. And this one that you are talking about road signs, I will ask him about it. If you have the list of the places you are talking about, we can go there and fix them.”

The immediate past Vice President of the Chattered Institute of Logistics and Transport, Francis Ehiguese, said local government officials altered the road signs.

He said, “Road signs give direction to motorists. The major culprits that are not placing the road signs the way they should be are the local government officials. If you are going to hold the arm of government responsible for this, it is the local government. They are guilty of this. They will go and hide the signs without background colours or design just to arrest their victims and extort money from them. They also put inscriptions that are ambiguous to confuse motorists.

“There are also some road signs you see around; the accurate colours are not there. The way they should cross them are not there. The local government chairmen should be called to order to put a stop to this,” he added. (The PUNCH)

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