Residents of Lagos State should always report suspected impostors to the authorities.

They should also be careful of individual who usually deceive people using fake identification, cards.

According to the state government, such people do not represent government, saying stiff penalties awaited impostors when caught.

Commissioner for the Environment, Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, made the call, as functionaries of the Ministry apprehended three individuals who impersonated and posed as officials of the Ministry of the Environment to extort unsuspecting residents.

Durosinmi-Etti, said messers Olusegun Wasiu, Shina Ahmed and Muyiwa Olusegun were apprehended by the enforcement and Advocacy team of the Ministry, through a tip off, in an attempt to extort money from developers in the Lekki-Ajah area of the State.

Educating the public, he said officials of the Ministry usually operate in groups and always accompanied by men of the Nigerian Police Force anytime they engage in enforcement duties.

Durosinmi-Etti, implored the people to always validate from the Ministry any notice issued, if they are in doubt of such notice, stating that Lagosians should feel free to report suspected impostors to the Ministry or the nearest police station.

The Commissioner stressed that no individual or groups would be allowed to hide under the government’s resolve to maintain zero tolerance to all forms of environmental abuse and extort the people, adding that anyone caught impersonating government officials would be dealt with in accordance with the law.