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Tag: Task force

  • Task Force arrests seven robbery suspects on Lagos Bridge

    Task Force arrests seven robbery suspects on Lagos Bridge

    Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Task Force have arrested seven suspected robbers allegedly operating on top of the Bolade Bridge in Oshodi, Lagos.

    According to the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the arrests followed actionable intelligence and sustained surveillance.  

    He disclosed this on Monday via a post on X, noting that the suspects were apprehended during an operation carried out earlier in the day.

    Those arrested were identified as 19-year-old Samuel Olumide, 21-year-old Quadri Oladipupo, 23-year-old Ojo Ifabomi, 24-year-old Tunde Balogun, 21-year-old Dayo Badmus, 20-year-old Adegunlola Tayo, and 21-year-old Simon Michael.

    He said, “Earlier today, operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Task Force apprehended seven suspected robbers operating on top of the Bolade Bridge, Oshodi, following actionable intelligence and sustained surveillance.”

    Read Also: IGP empanels special task force to enforce ban on VIP escorts

    The commissioner explained that the operation was part of the state government’s ongoing security and environmental enforcement drive aimed at reclaiming public spaces and ensuring the safety of residents.

    “This arrest is part of our ongoing effort to reclaim public spaces, protect commuters, and dismantle criminal activities that thrive around critical transport corridors,” he stated.

    Wahab further stressed that public infrastructure must not be allowed to become a safe haven for criminal activities.

    “Bridges, highways, and pedestrian routes must remain safe for law-abiding Lagosians, not havens for crime,” he added.

    According to the commissioner, the suspects have been taken into custody and will be processed in line with extant laws.

  • Fake task force officer arraigned in Lagos for impersonation, extortion

    Fake task force officer arraigned in Lagos for impersonation, extortion

    The Lagos State Task Force, led by its chairman CSP Adetayo Akerele, on Friday arraigned a man, Joseph Unosolease, before the State Special Offences Court in Oshodi for alleged impersonation, extortion, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.

    He was arrested after a complaint was lodged by the traditional ruler of Otumara, Apapa Road, and Ojo-Oniyun community, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, at the agency’s state headquarters on Monday.

    According to the charge sheet, “That on the 23rd of August, 2025, at approximately 1400hrs along Bolade, Oshodi, in the Lagos Magisterial District, you conducted yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace and thereby committed an offence.”

    *That you on the 23 of August, 2025, at about 1400hrs along Bolade, Arena, Oshodi in Lagos Magisterial district did impersonate as a public officer by representing yourself as an officer of the Lagos State Task Force thereby committed an offence punishable under the section 78 of the criminal laws of Lagos state 2015.

    *That you on the 23 of August, 2025, at about 1400hrs along Bolade, Oshodi in Lagos Magisterial district did unlawfully obtain the sum of N20, 000 from one High Chief Kalejaiye Kehinde and thereby committed an offence punishable under the state criminal law.”

    Read Also: Police restore calm after shooting incident in Lagos community

    The suspect, however, pleaded guilty to the three-count charge.

    Chief Magistrate F. Adefioye adjourned further hearing and conviction to September 16, 2025.

    Making his case during the hearing, the suspect claimed he was a LASTMA officer before his contract was terminated in 2020.

    According to him, despite his disengagement from the service of LASTMA, the traffic agency called for his service whenever the need arises.

    Kalejaiye commended the swift response and timely prosecution of the suspect by the Akerele-led Task Force.

    He, however, called for the arrest of other members of the six-member extortion syndicate and the seizure of the towing vehicle which was used to tow his car.

    He said, “I commend the swift response of the chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele for thoroughly investigating, arresting and prosecuting the suspects.

    “This lend credence to the zero tolerance of Lagos State Government to criminality and crimes.

    “Having said this, I want to call for the arrest of other members of the group particularly those police officers from the State Traffic Department in Ikeja that aided the nefarious activities. The arrested suspect, Unosolease wasn’t the only person that committed the offence. 

    “There are other members of the group who possibly are at large. I also want to call for the impoundment of the towing vehicle that was used to perpetrate the crime. This will serve as a deterrent to others who might be considering engaging in such criminal ways of earning money.”

  • Task force nabs 28 miscreants in Lagos

    Task force nabs 28 miscreants in Lagos

    The Lagos State Task Force has apprehended 28 people linked to the notorious “Omotaku” gang in a raid spanning Mile 2, Alaba Rago, FESTAC, Apapa, and neighbouring areas.

    The suspects have been terrorising motorists, extorting money from those whose vehicles break down on the highway.

    Chairman, Lagos State Task force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the operation was aimed at restoring peace to residents and motorists who have endured significant distress due to the gang’s activities.

    Read Also: FG sets up task forces to boost aviation sector through PPPs

    “This operation is a significant step in the right direction. The Task force is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of residents and will persist in our efforts to rid the metropolis of those who prey on law-abiding citizens.” Akerele stated

    The chairman emphasised the task force’s commitment to conducting regular mop-ups.

     “These arrests reflect our resolve to ensure that the environment remains safe and conducive for all,” he added.

  • Lagos task force arrests 54 touts, illegal ticket operators

    Lagos task force arrests 54 touts, illegal ticket operators

    The Lagos State Task force has arrested 54 individuals involved in extortion and illegal ticketing of truck operators and commercial vehicles.

    The arrests were carried out in key areas, including Isolo, Mushin, Apapa, Mile 2, and  Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

    The suspects, who were reportedly involved in waylaying trucks laden with goods and imposing unlawful fines, have long disrupted the free movement of goods and services.

    Their actions have contributed to delays and losses in the state’s supply chain, authorities said.

    Read Also: Senators donate N74m to Borno flood victims

    Chairman, Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele: “The illegal ticketing system has been in place for far too long. We are fully committed to arresting and prosecuting anyone who imposes unjustified fines on trucks and commercial vehicles. These practices are not only illegal but are also detrimental to the state’s economy.’’

    The arrests form part of a strategy to eliminate unlawful practices that threaten business operations in Lagos, which is a crucial hub for commercial activities across Nigeria.

    The task force aims to create a more conducive environment for businesses by ensuring that they are free from harassment and extortion by touts and illegal actors.

    Akerele added: “It is part of our statutory responsibilities to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in the illegal issuance of fines or tickets within the metropolis. We will ensure that those engaged in such illicit practices are brought to book.”

  • Stiffer penalties await defaulters of Abuja Master Plan in 2024 – Task Force

    Stiffer penalties await defaulters of Abuja Master Plan in 2024 – Task Force

    The Ministerial Task Force on City Sanitation and Management, Federal capital Territory (FCT), says stiffer penalties await defaulters of the Abuja Master Plan in 2024.

    Mr Mukhtar Galadima, the Director, Development Control, FCT Administration, gave the warning while interacting with journalists after the committee’s end-of-year celebration in Abuja on Friday.

    Galadima said that Abuja was a creation of law, and its development is being guided by the provisions of the Master Plan and other development guidelines.

    He, therefore, advised people that want to build houses in Abuja to follow the provisions of the Master Plan and other relevant guidelines.

    “Also, those that want to do businesses in the city should conduct these businesses in the areas designated for such purposes and should also contribute to keeping Abuja clean.

    “Don’t just come in, generate waste and go. You must be part of the team poised to keep Abuja clean,” he said.

    He explained that the event was to celebrate the end of 2023, following the modest results achieved by members of the task force.

    “It is not all about work, work, work. Sometimes we need to sit down and reflect; what successes have we recorded? What are our challenges? What prospect do we have ahead?

    “So, we decided to talk to ourselves and enjoy the moment,” he said.

    Also speaking, Dr Peter Olumuji, the Secretary, FCTA Command and Control, said that the task force has resolved to carry out series of enforcement activities in 2024.

    Read Also: Wike to Abuja residents: Let’s be security conscious during yuletide

    This, according to him, is to ensure the restoration of the Abuja Master Plan in line with the directive of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.

    Olumuji added that all security agencies in the task force have pledged to redouble their efforts with a view to achieving more results in 2024.

    “I want to call on the residents of FCT to avoid any form of illegality because wherever such exists, anywhere, the task force is coming to remove it,” he warned.

    He commended the heads of the security agencies for making their officers available to carry out enforcement activities.

    On her part, Mrs Deborah Osho, the Head of Operations, Directorate of Road Traffic Services, said that the task force was poised to do more in 2024, “and we are going to do more.

    “We will clean the city; we will rid Abuja of all illegal motor parks and commercial motorcycles plying unapproved roads”.

    (NAN)

  • Task force arrests 15 for street trading

    Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Task force) Unit, in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), yesterday dislodged over 1,500 street traders.

    It arrested 15 of them for prosecution during an enforcement operation at Oyingbo.

    The operation, led by the task force Chairman Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police, is in continuation of the clampdown on street trading across the state by the task force.

    Egbeyemi, according to a statement from the agency, said the traders persisted in their illegal activities despite warnings by selling goods on the roads, medians, road setbacks, drainage alignments and railway tracks near Oyingbo market.

    He said the traders’ actions impeded free flow of traffic along the axis, adding that the government would not tolerate such illegal activities that violated environmental laws.

    Read also: Seven held as task force raids illegal traders 

    “Section (1) of the Lagos State Street Trading and Illegal Market Prohibition Law of 2003 prohibits buyers and sellers from engaging in business activities at an unauthorised place, while the penalty for engaging in illegal street trading is a fine of N90,000 or six-month jail term for anyone found guilty of contravening the law”, Egbeyemi said.

    “The enforcement operation was also meant to protect lives of the illegal traders from unforeseen circumstances such as accident by reckless private/commercial drivers and also to decongest traffic along that axis”, he added.

    Warning those engaging in street trading to desist from endangering their lives and operate inside the ‘Oyingbo Ultra-Modern Market’ built by the government, Egbeyemi said the arrested traders would be prosecuted.

     

  • Task force seizes 109 motorcycles

    The Lagos State Special Task Force on Environmental Sanitation said yesterday that it had seized 109 motorcycles at Second Rainbow, along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, for flaunting traffic laws.

    It disclosed that it would destroy over 2,500 motorcycles impounded since January for plying restricted routes.

    These were contained in a statement yesterday by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs, Taofiq Adebayo.

    According to him, task force Chairman Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), at the weekend led operatives to Second Rainbow in Amuwo Odofin Local Government, following residents’ complaints about the illegal activities of commercial motorcyclists.

    Adebayo said the raid followed warnings to motorcyclists to desist from operating on restricted routes, particularly highways and bridges.

    Quoting the chairman, he said crimes among some of the motorcyclists were alarming, adding that some harassed passersby at bus stops.

    “While some harass the public at bus-stops, others dispossess their passengers of belongings such as phones, jewellery and bags. Motorists held up in traffic in the morning and at night around these areas are not spared,” Adebayo said.

    Noting that “clampdown on illegal activities of these operators will be sustained,” he said the task force would collaborate with the divisional police officers (DPOs) and area commanders to sustain the onslaught.

    “The chairman warned dispatched riders using power bikes (200cc above) to desist from engaging in illegal commercial activities, as anyone caught violating the traffic laws will be prosecuted.

    “He urged motorcycle rider associations to, on a regular basis; educate their members on the 475 restricted routes and the life threatening danger surrounding plying highways and bridges.

    “The chairman, however, confirmed that over 2,500 illegal commercial motorcycles impounded by the agency in the last three months (January to March) will be crushed by the government,” Adebayo said.

  • Task force washes hands of pupil’s death

    THE Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (task force) has washed its hands of  the death of a pupil, Adijat Shakiru, at Akoun village, Ikorodu, Lagos.

    The girl was allegedly shot dead by a policeman last Wednesday.

    In a statement yesterday, the task force chief,  Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police,  said the agency was not involved in any operation around Ikorodu that fateful day.

    In the statement signed by the agency’s public relations officer, Taofiq Adebayo, Egbeyemi said it was unfortunate that the false report had generated comments that portrayed the task force as irresponsible.

    Egbeyemi confirmed the  pupil’s death, but said she was not killed by the task force.

    “It is on record that the officer who killed 17-year-old Adijat Shakiru at Ikorodu, Sgt. Mudi Emmanuel, has been arrested and is undergoing orderly room investigation at the Provost Marshall Unit for professional misconduct,” he said.

    The command, he said,  had found that “the action fell short of the rules of engagement for the use of firearms and professional standards for police”.

    The officer, Egbeyemi said,  would soon be tried for alleged murder.

  • Task force seizes 115 motorcycles

    LAGOS State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Task Force)  operatives have impounded 115 motorcycles, including 22 branded as ‘Gokada and Maxokada’, for violating traffic laws.

    Task force Chairman Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP),  who led the operation,  ordered owners/operators of commercial ‘Gokada’ and ‘Maxokada’ to comply with the Lagos State Road Traffic Laws of 2012.

    He led his men out to ensure that commercial motorcyclists did not operate in restricted areas as well as did not drive against traffic in Ikeja, Ojota and Maryland.

    In a statement yesterday by the task force Public Relations Officer, Taofiq Adebayo, Egbeyemi said the activities of the branded commercial motorcycle operators were illegal, adding that they had no valid documentation from the government.

    Egbeyemi said in accordance with the law, no commercial motorcycle operator is allowed to operate on 475 restricted routes, including highways and bridges.

    “The government advises the public to henceforth desist from patronising commercial motorcyclists on restricted routes, as passengers are as well liable for prosecution.

    “It was an eyesore seeing operators of these newly branded commercial motorcycles (Gokada/Maxokada) competing for right of ways with motorists on highways and bridges,” he added.

    The chairman said Police Commissioner Zubairu Muazu had directed that 10 arrested riders be charged to court.

     

  • Motorcyclists drag corpse into governor’s office in Calabar

    Several commercial motorcyclists on Friday invaded the Governor’s office in Calabar, Cross River State, to protest the death of their colleague, who was allegedly killed by members of a security task force.

    The protesting motorcyclists dragged the corpse of their colleague right into the premises of the Governor’s office, smashing windows and attacking anyone that resisted them.

    The deceased, it was gathered was thoroughly beaten up by members of the task force until he became unconscious around Ikot Ansa in Calabar.

    He died while being taken by his colleagues to a health facility, it was learnt and this infuriated them, as the stormed the Governor’s office.

    Read Also: One killed as youths, motorcyclists clash

    The protesting okada riders had arrived the governor’s office and overpowered three security personnel at the gate.

    They damaged some items at the gate, tore the official security registers and approached the main entrance reception, where they smashed the glass doors.

    As they became more violent, reinforcements of armed soldiers from 13 Brigade of Nigerian Army and policemen from the nearby state police command arrived to contain the situation.

    It took several gunshots into the air to disperse them. A couple of them were rounded up by the security agencies.

    The body was later taken away by the police.

    Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo said the victim fell from his motorcycle and died when the task force team wanted to arrest him for violating the government ban on Okada plying major roads.