Lagos CP debunks viral extortion claim against Task Force
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has dismissed allegations circulating on social media accusing operatives of the Lagos State Task Force of collecting money from motorists.
Jimoh who made the clarification while briefing journalists on Monday in Lagos, described the claims as false and malicious.
He said the command was compelled to address the issue following a viral video posted by an online platform which allegedly showed task force officials collecting money from motorists.
He also said that a thorough investigation conducted by the police found the allegation to be unfounded.
According to him, the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Enforcement Unit has been doing very well in ensuring orderliness on our roads and public spaces.
“The claim that its personnel are collecting money is far from the truth and is malicious.”
Jimoh emphasised that Lagos, with an estimated population of about 23 to 25 million residents, required strict enforcement of traffic and environmental regulations to maintain order.
”If the task force was not doing its work properly, the effects would be obvious given the huge population and daily activities across the state,” he said.
The police boss said the viral video was circulated by an online platform, whose owner had previously intervened on behalf of individuals arrested for environmental sanitation and traffic offences.
Jimoh alleged that the video, published to discredit the task force after failed attempts to secure offenders’ release, stemmed from an incident on March 13 at Ikorodu.
According to him, the incident began around 6:30 a.m., when operatives of the Task Force were conducting routine enforcement against motorists driving against traffic.
He said a driver was intercepted while attempting to make an illegal turn against traffic.
”In an attempt to evade arrest, the driver reversed his vehicle and rammed into an oncoming commercial minibus, damaging the vehicle and endangering the lives of passengers and law enforcement officers,” he explained.
He added that the driver resisted arrest and obstructed traffic, causing gridlock along the corridor.
”The suspect was subsequently handed over to the task force for further investigation, while the damaged bus was towed to the office in Oshodi.
He further said that the suspect also attempted to incite bystanders against the enforcement officers, leading to the throwing of stones and other objects at security personnel.
”The viral video was recorded by the suspect himself while he was being transported away from the scene and did not capture the full details of the incident.
”The video circulating online does not reflect the true events that occurred at the scene. It was deliberately recorded to mislead the public,” he said.
Jimoh said that the driver was arraigned on four charges, granted bail but remanded for failing to meet it, and emphasised that only courts decide prison custody, not the police.
He urged motorists and other road users to obey traffic regulations and cooperate with law enforcement agencies.
The commissioner also warned members of the public against spreading misleading information capable of undermining the work of law enforcement agencies.
