Operatives of Lagos State Task Force don catch five street urchins wey dem dey call Omotaku for Aboru, Abule-Egba–Abeokuta Expressway and Tafawa Balewa Square area. Dem arrest these boys for allegation say dem dey extort motorists wey their vehicles break down for highway. Spokesman for the agency, Raheem Gbadeyan, talk am for statement on Monday.
According to Gbadeyan, the suspects dey target motorists wey their vehicles spoil for road and dem dey collect money from them under the guise of helping them fix the motor. The suspects wey dem catch na Alade Olarewaju (25), Oluwadamilare Alabi (38), Sunday Idowu (32), Rabiu Ibrahim (29), and Raji Yusuf (23). Dem arrest them after tip-off through agency hotlines.
Chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, say these boys don dey for Task Force watchlist for long time because of plenty complaints from members of the public. Akerele talk say two of the suspects, Olarewaju and Alabi, confess say dem mainly dey target trucks and vehicles wey dey carry goods wey break down for highways.
“Dem approach victims like say dem be roadside mechanics with intention to repair their vehicles. But later dem go show their true intention by intimidating the drivers, threatening to remove vehicle batteries, and forcing them to give money,” Akerele talk. Other members of the group admit say dem dey create panic by blocking drivers from accessing their vehicles or removing side mirrors to force them enter negotiation.
The suspects don appear for court on three-count charge wey concern illegal collection of fees from drivers of broken-down vehicles, wilful obstruction, and conduct wey fit cause breach of peace. Akerele urge residents to report any suspicious activities to nearest police station or through agency feedback channels for quick response.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, don summon the Chairman of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce), Chief Superintendent of Police Tayo Akerele, over allegations of high-handedness, extortion and corruption against operatives of the unit.
The invitation follow rising allegations on social media, with increasing calls by Lagos residents for Akerele removal. The controversy start after blogger post videos accusing Task force operatives of extortion, human rights violations and land grabbing.
Sources talk say the IGP, wey known for advocating humane and professional policing, consider the allegations disturbing, especially as the Force dey undergo reforms. “CSP Akerele don receive invitation to Force Headquarters on Monday to meet the IGP. The allegations too serious to ignore. The outcome of the meeting go determine his fate,” source talk.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, don warn Task force operatives against misconduct, and vow sanctions for any officer wey dem find guilty of corruption, extortion or abuse of authority. Jimoh caution say the command no go hesitate to disband any unit wey dey operate contrary to strategic direction of the IGP.
The CP assure residents say any officer wey dem find for violation of citizens rights go face full weight of the law and urge the public to provide evidence to support complaints. Jimoh talk say the command don already deploy newly screened and reoriented officers to the Task force and go collaborate with human rights organisations and civil society groups to strengthen professionalism within the unit.
Jimoh urge residents to take ownership of policing, stressing say security require collective responsibility. “We no perfect, but we dey open to corrections and advice from the public. E correct to call us out when we do wrong, but false or malicious allegations dey demoralise officers and embolden criminals,” he talk.
The CP talk say the command investigate allegations wey Object TV circulate and find no wrongdoing by Task force operatives, adding say the suspect involved don face court for violating traffic laws without any breach of rights. Jimoh reiterate say law enforcement actions must follow legal provisions and due process strictly.
Fresh training and reorientation don start for Taskforce personnel to address complaints and reinforce professionalism, with warning say verified misconduct fit attract sanctions, including possible restructuring of the unit. Jimoh also defend the use of unmarked vehicles and covert operations, describing them as essential tools for tackling urban crime and traffic violations.
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
