The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Task force

  • 72 arrested as task force seizes 196 motorcycles

    TASK FORCE officials have impoubnded 196 motorcycles and arrested 72 riders for plying restricted routes.

    Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and  Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) and  Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) officials made the seizure and arrest   in Mile 2 during a joint operation..

    In a statement, the task force said investigation showed that the activities of the motorcycle riders were on the increase as they  dispossessed people of their valuables such as phone, jewelleries and bags at daytime and night

    Its Chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), advised Okada riders to screen out the criminals among them and educate others to stop plying any of the restricted 475 routes which include highways and bridges.

    He enjoined private power bike owners/operators, particularly corporate bodies, to warn their despatch riders not to  engage in illegal commercial activities.

  • Cross River inaugurates task force on Calabar masterplan

    Cross River State government has inaugurated an eight-man task force for the restoration of Calabar masterplan.

    Governor Ben Ayade, inaugurating the task force in Calabar, said it had become imperative to restore the city’s masterplan and restore its status as the cleanest and greenest city in Nigeria.

    He urged members to discharge their duties with integrity, shunning ethnic and parochial sentiments.

    Ayade said the team should ensure that the right things were done.

    “There is a masterplan for Calabar, but unfortunately, the distortion of the plan is happening at a very fast rate.

    “We have situations where people are building houses without approved plans, erecting commercial houses in residential neighbourhoods, building houses on flood plains and not respecting the boundary lines between highways, roads and clearance, as stipulated in the federal highway code.

    “This task force is designed to reverse the degeneration of Calabar.

    “Because of the required urgency at this point, men of character, integrity, honour and quality are being put together to address this trend.

    “You have a duty to reverse the city’s degeneration. This will involve, among others, pulling down any building on flood plains,” he said.

    The governor urged the team to ensure that residents paid development control and approval plan levies, while obtaining approvals for buildings in appropriate locations.

    He warned the task force against embarking on structure demolition without his approval, saying the right thing must be done.

    “Do the right thing, for if we allow people to build houses where there are drainages, under high tension cables, on transmission lines or close to major roads, the city will degenerate.

    “This will increase crime, while policing of criminality will be difficult,” Ayade said.

  • 10 arrested as task force seizes 120 motorcycles

    10 arrested as task force seizes 120 motorcycles

    The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Enforcement Agency (Task Force) yesterday impounded 120 motorcycles and arrested 10 Okada riders.

    The riders were arrested at 2nd Rainbow Bus-stop near Mile 2 and Ijesha on the Apapa – Oshodi Expressroad.

    Okada riders have enjoined the government to save them from daily harassment in the hnds of the task  force.

    They accused the task force  and policemen of harassing them on unrestricted routes.

    Task force Chairman Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), in a statement, said yesterday’s  enforcement followed several warnings to the riders  to desist from operating on restricted routes particularly the highways and bridges.

    Egbeyemi decried the increase in motorcyclists’ illegal activities, accusing them of constituting public nuisance around 2nd Rainbow towards mile 2 and Ijesha Bus-stop.

    “While some of them harassed innocent members of the public at various bus-stops, others engaged in all sorts of criminal acts by dispossessing their passengers of valuables materials such as phone, jewelleries and bags,” he said.

    Egbeyemi urged the riders to fish out the criminals among them and educate others to stop plying any of the restricted 375 routes which include highways and bridges.

    The task force boss enjoined private powerbike (200cc above) owners, particularly corporate bodies, to warn their dispatched riders against illegal commercial activities.

    He said anyone caught violating  road traffic laws,  would be prosecuted.

    The seized motorcycles would be crushed and those arrested charged to court, Egbeyemi said.

    Some of the Okada riders who spoke with The Nation described the task force and policemen’s actions as uncivilised.

    “We do not have problem with those they arrested on restricted routes, but it is inhumane to continue harassing and arresting us on  unrestricted routes. We are the one that made the law. The policemen should stop turning us to daily Automated Teller Machine (ATM). We are law abiding citizens,” said Segun Adio in Mushin.

    Solomon Nathaniel said the government had no future plan for Okada riders, adding that they are suffering, following their ban in some areas and  continuous harassment by the task force.

    Nathaniel said he would  remain in Okada riding business than venture into robbery.

    “I know the dangers involved in Okada business, but I do not have an alternative. Government should provide job opportunities for youths if they want us to stop riding Okada,” Nathaniel said.

    Ewebi Akinola said:  ‘’I do not enjoy Okada riding but I do it to put food on my table.”

    Ajayi Rasaq, who plies Baruwa in Ayobo, said the  government had not touched  his life in any way.

    “I dislike this job but I have no other means of livelihood. As long as we did not ply the restricted routes, we should be given breathing space,” he said.

    He urged Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to call the task force to order.

     

  • Re: Ogun’s extortionate task force

    SIR: Our attention has been drawn to a letter written by one Tobore Gabriel, from Warri, Delta State published by The Nation on Tuesday November 21.

    The writer complained about an alleged daylight robbery by elements of Ogun State Road Task Force, according to him, operating around Ijebu- Ode area, on the Benin/Ore Federal Highway.

    The writer explained that his vehicle loaded with products returning from Lagos, broke down near Ijebu- Ode on Friday, November 17. Unfortunately, he failed to disclose how long the broken down truck was abandoned on the road before the task force officials came to tow it to their office.

    His description of extortion bothered on the alleged payment of N15,000 for a test on alcohol, N180,000 for road obstruction and his friend’s report of an alleged payment of N200,000 a fortnight ago.

    The complainant demanded to know from Ogun State government when it became a crime for a vehicle to break down on the road and, in such case, whether the owner of the vehicle should be prepared to pay N500,000.00, whenever a vehicle breaks down on the road.  This is what he calls “daylight robbers masquerading as road task force”.

    On behalf of the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), the only agency authorized by the Ogun State government to take charge of the administration and control of road traffic matters in the state for the welfare and safety of all and sundry, I write to say that the state government is unaware of the so called “Ogun’s Extortionate Task Force” or “daylight robbers masquerading as road task force”.

    The three TRACE Divisions of Ijebu-Ode, Ikene and Ogbere which covers and patrol the area mentioned in the article, denied knowledge of towing any truck as at the time of the case in question. They demand that the writer produce the vehicle number of the truck, receipts issued and the particular date he paid the money, to assist in further investigation.

    Besides, we find it difficult to believe the allegation because the various amounts stated by the writer do not match with TRACE’s fines for recalcitrant traffic offenders and violators. Take for instance, TRACE does fine N50,000 for road obstruction and N100,000 for towing of vehicle. TRACE does not collect money for test of alcohol in the area in question and any other area for that matter.

    It is pertinent to state that the name of our agency remains Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) and not Road Task Force. In this regard, the task force mentioned in the article has no link and connection with our agency. TRACE is the only authorized agency in Ogun State charged with the responsibility of enforcement of Section 46 of the Environmental Management (Miscellaneous) Provisions Law, No13 of 2004, which prohibits the abandonment of vehicle, container or other property on any road or open space in the state.

    The question on when it becomes a crime for a vehicle to break down on the road was borne out of mischief and ignorance of the cited law by the writer. The owner of any broken down vehicle on the road has the duty of ensuring his vehicle does not constitute an impediment and nuisance on public roads which may cost other people’s lives and property, if allowed to stay longer than necessary.

    TRACE has often rolled out telephone numbers to call at such a distress period when vehicles break-down, especially in the night, to avoid collision on the broken-down vehicle by on-coming vehicles due to bad eyesight of the drivers or foggy weather.

     

    • Akinbiyi Babatunde,

    TRACE Corps PRO, Abeokuta.

     

  • Task force impounds 163 motorcycles

    Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Task Force) at the weekend impounded 163 motorcycles and arrested 29 motorcyclists at 2nd Rainbow, on Mile 2 Road including Festac.

    The task force invaded the area on Friday following an allegation that a sister security agency on Thursday aided some hoodlums to attack and remove four of the 20 impounded motorcycles from the Task force’s truck while taking them from Apapa to the Task force crush yard.

    Its Chairman Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP) reiterated his commitment to enforce the State Road Traffic Laws.

    He said: “There must be a synergy between all security agencies so as to collectively fight the menace of Okada riders on all restricted routes.”

    Egbeyemi said there were complaints from the public on criminal activities of some Okada riders, which include snatching of bags, phones, wallets and jewelleries.

  • Task force, others arrest 220 suspected criminals

    Task force, others arrest 220 suspected criminals

    About 220 suspected criminals were arrested on Saturday in various hideouts around Lagos Island by the police, operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit  (Task Force) and other security outfits.

    The joint mid-night operations tagged ‘Mother of all Raids’ was led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Area ‘A’ Command (Lion Building), Olushola Akinyede.

    Other formations included in the operations were the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Area ‘A’ command Lagos Island.

    Task force Chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said the suspects include 214 males and six females.

    The operations, he said, were carried out around Obalende, Sura, Adeniji-Adele, Oke-suna, Sangros, Falomo, Agarawu, Bishop-Oluwole, Tokunbo, Idumota and Apogbon areaS of Lagos Island.

    The task force quoted a suspect, Ibrahim Oluwole, to have said he was arrested under the Obalende fly-over at mid-night.

    He allegedly confessed to belonging to a criminal gang that dispossess people of their valuables, such as phones, wallets and jewellery at night around Obalende.

    Oluwole, 27, who hails from Sagamu area of Ogun State appealed for leniency, promising to turn a leaf.

  • Police, task force arrest 50 ‘with 48 bags of drugs’

    Police, task force arrest 50 ‘with 48 bags of drugs’

    The Police and operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Task Force) have arrested 50 suspected criminals with 48 bags of illicit drugs around Akala in  Mushin.

    The mid-night operation was led by Soji Akinbayo, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), the task force Chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP) and all Divisional Police Officers under Area ‘D’ command Mushin.

    All the suspects were charged on Friday before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi of the Lagos State Mobile Court on three-count charge of unlawful possession of weed suspected to be indian hemp, trading in indian hemp and conduct likely to cause breach of peace and disorderly manner.

    Lagos State Office of Public Defenders provided free legal services for the accused. Bashiru Abdulsalam appeared on their behalf.

    Prosecuting Counsel Oluremi Kuku said the suspects pleaded not guilty  before Magistrate Owolabi granted them bail.

    The case was adjourned till November 15.

    Egbeyemi, in a statement said  those arrested during the raid include 44 men and six women.

    According to him, substances suspected to be indian hemp with packs of other illicit drugs such as ‘Novalyn with Codeine Cough Syrub’ and ‘Tuxil-C cough and cold with Codeine’ were recovered during the raid.

    The Tak force said one of the suspects, Sunday Adesoye a.k.a ‘Malboro’ confessed that ‘Akala’ serves as a ‘Central Market’ for indian hemp and illicit drugs to all miscreants across the State.

    Malboro was quoted to have sold an average of N500,000 worth of Indian hemp with other illicit drugs daily to his customers from Obalende, Oshodi, Pen-cinema, Apapa, Lagos Island, Fadeyi amongst others.

    “A suspect, Mrs Basirat Jimoh a.k.a Iya Suzzy, who hails from Ibadan, Oyo State capital confessed to have been trading in indian hemp and other illicit drugs at Akala area for over 17 years. She however claimed to be only buying/selling india hemp and not into criminal activities,” task force said.

  • Task force arrests wanted man, 75 miscreants

    The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Task Force) has arrested 76 miscreants around Oshodi and Iyana-Ipaja areas during an enforcement operations tagged ‘Eradication of Criminal Hideouts’.

    Amongst those arrested at Iyana-Ipaja during the operations is a ‘wanted criminal’ and a ring leader of a notorious cult group ‘Omije Boys,’ Mr Franklin Anyawun.

    Anyawun, 28, who lives at 11,  Oremeji Street, Iyana-Ipaja, was caught with bags of Indian hemp and allegedly confessed to be a ring leader of a notorious cult group ‘Omije Boys’ who robbed people at Iyana-Ipaja and its environs.

    Task force chairman Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP) said Anyawun confessed to be selling illicit drugs to miscreants around Oshodi, Fadeyi, Idi-Oro at Mushin and Bariga.

    Also arrested, Olumide Sanni, 19, is said to be specialised in snatching bags and phones around Railway-lines at Oshodi.

    Egbeyemi, who confirmed that the enforcement operations would be continuous, said the Commissioner of Police had directed that those arrested be charged to court for prosecutions.

  • Pandemonium as task force, traders clash in Abuja

    •Market not closed, says Authority

    The Area 10 market in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, popularly known as UTC is under lock and key following a clash between the taskforce hired to control illegal activities and some squatters in the market.

    Due to the conflict, security operatives have taken control of the market to forestall further breakdown of law and order.

    When The Nation visited the market it was gathered that the market has been shut as a result of the fight between one taskforce officer and an illegal occupant who failed to cooperate with the taskforce, a development that led to destruction of property.

    One of the traders, who said his name is Sunday Femi, told our correspondent that the crisis started when a taskforce officer ordered one of the squatters to remove his wares from the corridor since his goods are blocking free movement of customers.

    The squatter whose identity was not disclosed refused to carry out the instruction of the taskforce, a development that provoked the taskforce officer to strike him down with alleged charms.

    According to him: “the problem in this market started since on Friday and that day, one of the taskforce officers instructed a squatter to remove his goods from the road since the boy has refused to cooperate with them. This particular boy refused to carry out the order. The taskforce was provoked and slapped him with charms. He fell down flat and he was unconscious for over 15 minutes. After some time, the taskforce officer revived him by pouring spit on his hand and rubbed it on the squatter’s body.

    “When one of the relations of the victim was informed of what happened, he mobilized others and vandalized the office of Abuja Market Management Limited. At this point, the police came in and chased all traders away.”

    Another trader, Kenneth Ndubisi, who spoke said that the police was invited to curtail possible breakdown of law and order since the development was taken a dangerous dimension.

    “I was not present when the crisis started, but the little I witnessed, it was becoming volatile and if not checked by law enforcement agencies, it might spread beyond the market,” Ndubisi affirmed.

    However, when our correspondent contacted the management of Abuja Market Management Limited (AMML), for comment, the Managing Director, Mr. Abubakar Faruk, said that the taskforce was merely carrying out a routine cleanup of the market, which some illegal operators tried to obstruct.

    He also debunked rumour in some quarters that UTC market has been closed down due to crisis between taskforce and operators, stressing that the ongoing cleanup exercise is to bring sanity into the market.

    “First and foremost, let me make it clear that UTC Market is not closed. I want to also stress that there are no squatters in UTC Market or any market managed by Abuja Market Management Limited. What people see in most markets are illegal operators. The taskforce and other law enforcement agents are always in our markets to ensure that these illegal operators do not exist and to bring sanity to the market. Basically, it was a situation of taskforce who was carrying out his duty and was being obstructed by an illegal operator.

    “As we speak, a committee is meeting with the Abuja Market Management Limited, and we have gotten a firm commitment from the leaders of the traders to replace all damaged property and to fashion out measures to curtail future occurrence. It must be made clear too that hawking is prohibited in all our markets and anybody caught will face AEPB Mobile Court,” Faruk stated.

  • Task Force arrests another piracy suspect

    Task Force arrests another piracy suspect

    •103 bags of DVD seized

    Following last Monday’s raid of the notorious Alaba Market where three suspected pirates were arrested, the taskforce set up by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) against unauthorized distribution/uncensored and unclassified movies, on Wednesday, increased its arrest to four, while on Thursday, it also confiscated a container-load, consisting 103 sacks of DVDs of different titles, believed to have been imported from China.

    The 8-man taskforce made up of largely members of the Film and Video Producers and Marketer Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN) alongside the Nigeria Police, on Monday, arrested three men – Ndu Celestine, Okechukwu Ikuagwu and  Austine Ugokwe – and confiscated several film titles and machines said to be worth N50million. The suspects were immediately taken to Abuja from the Area E Police Command, Festac Town.

    Some of the film titles include, ‘Ayamma’, ‘Wedding Party’, ‘Three Wise Men’, ‘30-Days In Atlanta’, ‘A Trip to Jamaica’, ‘Lekki Wives’, ‘Wives On Strike’, ‘Jennifer’s Diary’ and ‘Fifty’.

    The fourth suspect popularly called Mayor is said to be the assistant Financial Secretary of the Fancy and Furniture section of Alaba International Market, where CD and DVD business holds sway.

    The raid was spearheaded by the Executive Director of NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas; notable film marker, Gabriel Okoye, aka Igwe Gabosky; Chairman of FVPMAN, Emeka Aduah and film marketer and lawyer, Nobert Ajaegbu.

    Speaking to newsmen at the Area E Police Command on Monday, Adedayo described the unlawful distribution of uncensored intellectual properties, and piracy as a serious economic crime.

    He said: “We are saying no to unwholesome, unclassified and uncensored content visa-a-vise piracy. Piracy is a serious economic crime. What they are doing to intellectual properties is worse than what you can imagine.

    “We had warned them to stop the unlawful act. Unfortunately, they didn’t stop and we promised the stakeholders and those concerned within the film and creative industry that we are going to start action. So, this is one of the actions that we have promised them, and it is going to be continuous because now, we have the full support of the police. It makes our job easier; the lawyers are ready to prosecute.”

    According to Okoye, “majority of the stakeholders have been rendered prostrate by the activities of the pirates, and no more operating, some of them have gone broke.

    “If you go to Alaba where our business used to thrive, the situation is not the same, as cosmetics and phone accessories sellers have taken over because the pirates have driven us away and feeding fat on our sweat. They have even started investing in hospitals and other businesses while the creative industry is getting broke.”

    Continuing, he said, “The Bank of Industry floated a loan scheme for people to come and take and produce contents to engage Nigerians to be productive, but all those who took the loan are owing the bank. These films are genuinely produced but before my company, G-Media could release them, they had been pirated and we have been tracing most of these people who have been hiding themselves inside Alaba. Imagine Alaba operating as if it is a sovereign state of its own.”

    One of the suspects, Austine Ugokwe from Anambra State when questioned by our reporter said he was innocent and was set up by his Liberian friend called Mr. Obi.

    “I was set up by someone. It was a friend Mr Obi who usually comes from Liberia that called me to come and he directed me there and immediately I got there, I saw taskforce people, and they arrested me. I am a business man, I sell Nylon and CDs,” he said.

    When asked how he got to know Mr. Obi, he said “he buys blank CDs from me.”

    On his part, Celestine Ndu said “I’m being accused of piracy. I was arrested because I was trying to help someone to package his goods (CDs).

    “I am not the one doing it, I was just helping the owner to package it. The owner calls me to help and he gives me some money.  Mr Bassey the man who called me to come and package the CDs for him is not my boss. I don’t know where he lives; I only know his shop in Alaba, shop GJT28.”