Lagos Police Chief Clears Task Force Operatives of Extortion Claims

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Olohundare Jimoh, has refuted allegations circulating on social media that operatives of the Lagos State Task Force collect money from motorists during enforcement operations.

Jimoh made the clarification while addressing journalists on Monday in Lagos, describing the claims as false and intended to discredit the activities of the enforcement unit.

According to him, the command decided to respond to the allegation after a viral video shared by an online platform purportedly showed task force officials demanding money from road users.

The police chief said investigations conducted by the command revealed that the claims were unfounded.

He noted that the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences has continued to play a significant role in maintaining order on roads and in public spaces across the state.

“The claim that its personnel are collecting money is far from the truth and is malicious,” Jimoh said.

He stressed that effective enforcement of traffic and environmental regulations is necessary in Lagos, which he said has an estimated population of between 23 and 25 million residents.

“If the task force was not doing its job properly, the effects would be obvious given the huge population and daily activities across the state,” he added.

Jimoh further alleged that the viral video originated from an online platform whose owner had previously intervened on behalf of individuals arrested for traffic and environmental sanitation violations.

He explained that the footage was linked to an incident that occurred on March 13 in the Ikorodu area of the state.

According to the commissioner, the situation began around 6:30 a.m. when task force operatives were carrying out routine enforcement against motorists driving against traffic.

During the operation, a driver was reportedly intercepted while attempting to make an illegal turn against the flow of traffic.

“In an attempt to evade arrest, the driver reversed his vehicle and rammed into an oncoming commercial minibus, damaging it and endangering the lives of passengers and law enforcement officers,” Jimoh said.

He added that the suspect resisted arrest and obstructed traffic, which resulted in congestion along the road.

“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 also attempted to incite bystanders against enforcement officers, leading to the throwing of stones and other objects at security personnel,” the police commissioner said.

Jimoh explained that the viral video was recorded by the suspect while he was being transported from the scene and did not capture the full sequence of events.

“The video circulating online does not reflect the true events that occurred. It was deliberately recorded to mislead the public,” he said.

He disclosed that the driver was later arraigned on four counts in court and granted bail but was remanded after failing to meet the bail conditions.

The commissioner emphasised that decisions regarding detention are determined by the courts and not the police.

Jimoh urged motorists and other road users to comply with traffic regulations and cooperate with enforcement authorities.

He also cautioned the public against spreading false or misleading information capable of undermining the efforts of security agencies in maintaining law and order.