The Lagos State Taskforce has dismissed as “misleading and unfounded” allegations circulating online that its officials unlawfully impounded a motorcycle belonging to a self-acclaimed human rights advocate, insisting that the enforcement action followed due process and extant traffic laws.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the Agency said the rider in question was apprehended for driving against traffic in the Ikeja axis, a violation it described as “clearly prohibited under the law.”
Director of Public Affairs of the Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said the narrative being pushed in the viral statement “deliberately distorts the facts and seeks to incite public sentiment against lawful enforcement.”
“The Lagos State Taskforce wishes to categorically state that the motorcycle in question was impounded for driving against traffic (one-way), an offence clearly prohibited under the law,” Abdulraheem stated.
According to him, the rider, identified only as Mr. Babatunde, was intercepted along Cement Bus Stop inward Ile Zik while allegedly riding a 250cc motorcycle with two passengers who were not wearing helmets.
“The rider, with registration number DKA 510 QC, was apprehended while riding against traffic, carrying two passengers without helmets. He was intercepted by Taskforce officials on routine patrol in the Ikeja axis,” he said.
The agency further alleged that the suspect resisted arrest and engaged operatives physically, leading to damage to official uniforms before he was subdued.
“Upon being stopped, the rider resisted arrest, physically struggling with officers and claiming to be a human rights activist. During the altercation, some officers had their uniforms torn before the situation was brought under control,” Abdulraheem added.
The Taskforce also refuted claims that its officials demanded a bribe of ₦50,000, describing the allegation as “entirely false and misleading.”
Instead, it accused the suspect and his associates of attempting to compromise officers with a ₦20,000 bribe, which was rejected.
“The rider and three others later approached the Officer-in-Charge of Ikeja, offering a bribe of ₦20,000 to secure the release of the motorcycle. The offer was firmly rejected, as the matter had already been processed for court action,” Abdulraheem said.
“This clearly contradicts the false claim that officials demanded ₦50,000.”
Reaffirming its stance on law enforcement, the Agency stressed that activism does not confer immunity from legal obligations.
“It is important to remind the public that no individual is above the law, regardless of status or affiliation. Identifying as a human rights advocate does not grant immunity from traffic regulations or lawful enforcement,” he said.
The Taskforce further dismissed accusations of high-handedness, maintaining that offenders are always subjected to judicial processes.
“Once an offence is established, the appropriate legal procedure is to charge the offender to court. The judiciary remains the proper avenue for dispute resolution, not public sentiment or misinformation,” Abdulraheem noted.
Providing institutional context, the Agency highlighted the professional background of its Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, describing him as a legal practitioner and rights advocate.
“The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, is a lawyer by training, a seasoned police officer, and a known advocate for human rights. His professional background underscores a commitment to due process, fairness, and the rule of law,” he added.
The Agency also questioned the conduct of the complainants, noting that they failed to pursue their petition through official channels after initial contact.
“After submitting a petition to the Chairman’s office, the complainants failed to follow up through the appropriate channels, despite being given the opportunity to track the progress of their case,” Abdulraheem said.
In a related development, the Taskforce addressed a separate viral video circulated by one Mr. Segun Olawoye, clarifying that the individual featured was not an operative of the Agency but an impostor.
“Following investigations, it was established that the individual involved was not a Taskforce operative but an impostor. It is therefore misleading and irresponsible to recycle such content to discredit the Agency,” he stated.
The Agency urged members of the public to disregard what it described as coordinated misinformation aimed at undermining its operations.
“The Lagos State Taskforce urges the public to disregard these false narratives, which are clearly intended to incite sentiment and undermine lawful enforcement efforts,” Abdulraheem said.
“While enforcement actions may not always be popular, they remain necessary to maintain order and safety. The Agency remains committed to discharging its duties with professionalism, fairness, and strict adherence to the law.”
