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The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, popularly known as the Lagos Taskforce, has intensified its clampdown on criminal activities and violations of the state’s transport regulations, impounding 66 commercial motorcycles and arresting three suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in vehicle-part theft.
The 66 motorcycles, popularly known as okada, were impounded during an enforcement operation conducted on Monday, August 10, 2026, across parts of Lagos Island and the Lekki axis.
The operation covered CMS Bus Stop, Obalende, Osborne Roundabout, Abraham Adesanya Road, Lekki-Ajah Expressway and the Lagos Coastal Road, where the Taskforce said commercial motorcycle operators were found flouting restrictions on their operations.
The agency said the exercise was part of its sustained campaign against illegal commercial motorcycle operations, street trading, illegal ticket collection and other activities considered a nuisance or security threat in the metropolis.
According to the Taskforce, the operation restored normalcy in the affected areas, while the impounded motorcycles would be subjected to legal proceedings in line with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
Speaking after the operation at the Taskforce headquarters, Safety Arena, Bolade, Oshodi, the Chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the enforcement team had intensified intelligence gathering and tactical operations to completely eliminate illegal okada operations from restricted highways, bridges and other prohibited routes.
He warned that future operations would target not only illegal motorcycle riders but also passengers found patronising them in violation of the law.
The chairman also reiterated that impounded motorcycles would be forfeited to the Lagos State Government through the courts in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Taskforce has arrested three suspected members of a syndicate allegedly specialising in stealing vehicle components, including brain-boxes, batteries, spare tyres, jacks and other accessories.
The suspects — Kazzim Iyiola, aka Sabela, 46; Mohammed Rabiu; and Alhaji Musa Saleh, 56 — were arrested at the Vehicle Inspection Office, VIO, in Oshodi while allegedly attempting to remove the brain-box from a Toyota Hilux operational vehicle belonging to the agency.
A fourth suspect, identified as Tony, a motor-parts dealer allegedly responsible for receiving stolen components, is currently at large.
Akerele said the suspects were arrested following repeated complaints from staff and management of sister agencies operating within the Safety Arena over the disappearance of vehicle parts from parked vehicles.
He said the complaints prompted the Taskforce to deploy intelligence and surveillance operations to identify and apprehend those behind the thefts.
“I received complaints from top management and staff alleging that men posing as motor mechanics were disappearing with vehicle parts. I immediately put strategies in place to track them down,” Akerele said.
During interrogation, Iyiola, also known as Sabela, reportedly admitted that the syndicate targeted vehicles that remained stationary for several hours in garages, compounds and other locations.
He allegedly confessed that the gang had previously stolen several vehicle components, particularly brain-boxes, and sold them to the suspected receiver, Tony.
The other two suspects initially claimed to have previously worked together as a driver and mechanic at Marine Beach and were subsequently engaged in scrap-metal dealings. However, their account reportedly came under scrutiny when they were unable to provide evidence of their alleged scrap business.
Akerele said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law, warning that the arrest should serve as a deterrent to individuals involved in the theft and resale of vehicle components.
He said the Taskforce would sustain its enforcement operations across the state until full compliance with transport regulations is achieved and criminal activities targeting motorists and government facilities are curtailed.
