The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Taskforce has countered accusations related to extortion, the illegal sale of confiscated motorcycles, and excessive use of force during their operations against commercial motorcyclists, commonly referred to as okadas, in the region.
On Friday, the agency's Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, released a statement categorizing the social media claims as "misleading and unsubstantiated narratives" regarding the taskforce's actions.
The statement cited that motorcycles are seized only following established legal procedures, and offenders are taken to the Mobile Court for contravening the Lagos State Road Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, particularly if found operating in areas prohibited by state regulations.
The Taskforce asserted, "These measures are backed by judicial approval and executed without arbitrariness," adding that the enforcement actions are strictly contained within legal boundaries.
Moreover, the agency firmly denied allegations that confiscated motorcycles are resold to their original operators. According to their statement, "Once confiscated, the motorcycles are handed over to the Ministry of Transportation and eventually destroyed at a government-sanctioned junkyard located in Alausa."
The Agency emphasized, "At no point are seized motorcycles returned to operators or misappropriated for personal gain." When it comes to vehicles confiscated for other reasons, the agency clarified that auctions occur only through court-sanctioned and transparent procedures.
Additionally, the taskforce specified that civilian touts are not part of their operations, although some operatives may work undercover as part of intelligence-driven initiatives. "The para-military personnel affiliated with the agency might operate in plain clothing to conduct intelligence-gathering sting actions, an internationally accepted enforcement practice," the statement noted.
Highlighting security implications, the taskforce indicated that intelligence reports suggest a considerable number of individuals arrested in restricted zones are non-Nigerians, with many lacking valid documentation.
"Criminals often utilize the okada industry to evade oversight, penetrate communities, and instigate chaos," the agency explained, indicating that illegal motorcycle operations present a multifaceted public safety challenge that extends beyond mere traffic violations.
The taskforce also rejected rumors concerning its chairman, Adetayo Akerele, who serves as a chief superintendent of police, stating that rumors of him personally benefiting from the operations or being compromised are "irresponsible, baseless, and devoid of evidence."
It commended the chairman for executing his duties with "the utmost sense of responsibility, professionalism, and integrity." The agency also defended its usage of tear gas during operations, clarifying that its deployment is a recognized international method for crowd control when used by trained personnel.
"The application of tear gas is stringently regulated by operational protocols and is never employed indiscriminately," the statement asserted.
In closing, the Taskforce urged the public to verify information prior to sharing online, warning that spreading misinformation undermines community confidence and disrupts efforts to preserve order. "Lagosians are entitled to a safe and serene environment for living, working, and commuting, and the Taskforce is committed to maintaining that promise," the statement concluded.
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