The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce) has denied allegations circulating online that its officials extorted money during an operation in Ijesha.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Chairman, CSP Tayo Akerele, through the Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, urged residents to disregard the claim, describing it as false and misleading.
The allegation, shared on social media by one Sherifdeen via a platform associated with Òjón Ọmọ Ékó, claimed that Taskforce operatives impounded a vehicle and later released it after collecting ₦250,000.
Responding to the claim, the agency said: “The attention of the Lagos State Taskforce has once again been drawn to a misleading, malicious, and unsubstantiated report… The report falsely alleges that officials… collected the sum of ₦250,000 as a bribe before releasing it.
“Let it be stated clearly and unequivocally that this allegation is entirely false, defamatory, and devoid of any factual basis.”
The Taskforce insisted that no such operation took place and that the vehicle in question was never in its custody.
“At no point did the Lagos State Taskforce tow any vehicle from the Ijesha axis… In fact, the owner… has admitted that the vehicle was not found in our custody but elsewhere.”
It further stated that available information suggests the involvement of another enforcement agency and cautioned against spreading unverified claims.
“It is therefore both reckless and unjustifiable to malign the Taskforce… This style of reporting… falls far below acceptable ethical standards of journalism.”
The agency also linked the allegation to pressure from critics opposing its enforcement of the ban on commercial motorcycles on restricted routes.
“No amount of intimidation, blackmail, or orchestrated social media campaigns will compel the Agency to abandon its mandate.”
It urged members of the public to use official complaint channels, assuring that any proven misconduct would be addressed.
“We encourage any individual with genuine grievances to utilise the Agency’s ‘See Something, Say Something’ mechanism… Where any misconduct is established, appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken.”
Reaffirming its stance, the Taskforce said it would continue enforcing transport regulations without fear or favour and advised the public to ignore the allegations.
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