The Lagos State Police Command has ordered the immediate removal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit, also known as the task force, from all traffic control and enforcement activities across the state.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the directive was given by the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, and made public on Tuesday by the command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi.
According to the police, the decision is aimed at improving how traffic operations are handled in the state and ensuring that those involved carry out their duties properly and are held accountable.
The command made it clear that the withdrawal only applies to traffic-related duties.
The task force will continue to perform its other responsibilities as assigned.
The police also explained that the task force in question is not the only enforcement unit operating in Lagos.
Residents and motorists were advised to always confirm the identity of officials before making complaints, especially in matters related to traffic enforcement.
The command restated its duty to protect lives and property and assured the public that all operations would continue to follow the law. It also called on residents to obey the law and work with recognized security agencies.
This development comes after growing public complaints against some members of the task force over alleged misconduct.
The issue gained attention following a viral video showing an incident involving a driver and some task force officials.
In the footage, the officials were accused of wrongly arresting the driver and demanding money from him.
It was alleged that one of the officers took control of the man’s vehicle and moved it to a one-way road to make it appear that a traffic offence had been committed. The driver denied driving against traffic as claimed.
Another voice in the video claimed that the man was detained and later sent to prison, even after efforts were made to contact the chairman of the task force, who was said to have promised to step in.