The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) from traffic control and enforcement duties across the state.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, stated that the directive was part of efforts to streamline traffic management operations and ensure professionalism and accountability.
Adebisi noted that the withdrawal only affects traffic-related responsibilities, adding that all other duties and operational mandates of the task force remain in force, reports The PUNCH.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, has directed the immediate and complete withdrawal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) from traffic control and traffic contravention enforcement across the state.
“This directive is part of ongoing efforts to streamline traffic management operations and ensure professionalism, accountability, and clarity in the discharge of duties. It is important to note that while the unit has been withdrawn from traffic-related responsibilities, all other assigned duties and operational mandates of the unit remain fully in force.”
The police also clarified that the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit is not the only task force operating in the state.
Residents and motorists were therefore advised to verify the identity of personnel and agencies before making allegations, particularly on issues relating to traffic enforcement.
The command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while ensuring that all operations in the state are carried out in line with the law.
It also urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and cooperate with legitimate security agencies.
The directive comes amid recent backlash against the task force operatives following allegations of extortion.
The controversy followed a viral video posted by ObjectvMedia, in which officials of the task force were accused of unlawful arrest and extorting money from motorists.
According to the video, a taskforce operative allegedly seized control of a driver’s vehicle, repositioned it on a one-way street to create false evidence of a traffic offence, and subsequently demanded payment.
The driver, in the footage seen by our correspondent, denied driving on the one-way route where the vehicle was captured.
A male voice in the video further alleged that the man was detained and later sent to prison despite contacting the task force chairman, Adetayo Akerele, who had reportedly promised to intervene.
The police authorities had since commenced an investigation into the incident.
