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By Olakunle Olafioye
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, popularly known as the Lagos State Taskforce, has denied demanding a permit from a truck driver for inscribing “TRD” on his vehicle.
The agency also announced the arrest of more than 30 suspected miscreants, drug peddlers and other street urchins during raids on criminal and environmental blackspots in Obalende, Marina and other parts of Lagos Island.
In a statement issued by its Director, Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the Taskforce said demanding permits for vehicle inscriptions was not part of its operational mandate and explained that following the directive from the state Commissioner of Police, discontinuing traffic-related enforcement by its personnel, its operatives no longer stop vehicles or enforce traffic offences.
It urged members of the public to exercise caution before attributing the actions of uniformed personnel to the Taskforce. “The mere fact that an individual is dressed in a camouflage or similar uniform does not automatically make such a person an operative of the Taskforce,” the agency said, noting that several security and law-enforcement agencies operate in Lagos with different mandates and uniforms.
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The Taskforce, under the leadership of its Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said its personnel had been directed to operate within their statutory mandate and respect the rights of members of the public.
In a separate statement, the agency said the arrests followed an enforcement operation aimed at clearing criminal hideouts, environmental violations and public nuisances in Obalende, Marina and adjoining areas. It added the operation uncovered several blackspots with a history of criminal and environmental activities.
According to the agency, the suspects were arrested for allegedly disturbing public peace and engaging in criminal activities. Some were also linked to threats against public infrastructure, including billboards and road signs.
The Taskforce said substances suspected to be Indian hemp, marijuana, codeine and Colorado were recovered from some of the suspects, adding that the suspects would be charged to court in accordance with the law.
While stressing the need for active citizen participation and sustained enforcement by relevant agencies to achieve lasting environmental sanity across Lagos, Akerele reiterated that criminal activities and violations of environmental laws would be prosecuted under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law, 2017.
