The Ondo State Police Command has dismissed reports alleging that there was a protest along the Lagos–Ore–Benin Expressway was triggered by the extortion of motorists by police personnel.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, described the reports circulating on some media platforms as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary tension among members of the public.
According to the Command, preliminary findings showed that the disruption to traffic was caused by a tanker driver who deliberately blocked a section of the highway after a disagreement with police officers carrying out their lawful duties.
The police explained that the action resulted in a temporary gridlock and inconvenience to commuters, stressing that the incident was neither a protest against police extortion nor linked to any unlawful conduct by officers.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Felix Ohagwu, has directed the deployment of additional security and traffic management personnel to the area, while efforts continue to clear the obstruction and restore the free flow of traffic.
