LAGOS TASKFORCE DISOWNS CLAIM OF DEMAND FOR ‘TRD’ INSCRIPTION PERMIT
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, otherwise known as the Lagos State Taskforce, has dismissed as false and misleading a social media claim alleging that its officers accosted a truck driver and demanded a permit for the inscription of “TRD” on the vehicle.
The Taskforce wishes to state categorically that requesting or demanding permits for inscriptions on vehicles does not form part of its operational mandate. Consequently, the Agency has no basis for stopping a vehicle or accosting a driver for the purpose of demanding such a permit.
The Taskforce further clarifies that following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, discontinuing traffic-related enforcement by its personnel, the Agency has ceased the arrest and enforcement of traffic offences. Its operatives are not authorised to stop vehicles for traffic offences or undertake traffic enforcement operations.
It is therefore important that members of the public exercise caution before attributing the actions of any uniformed personnel to the Lagos State 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. There are several security and law-enforcement agencies operating within Lagos State, with distinct mandates and uniforms.
The Taskforce, under the leadership of its Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, remains committed to disciplined, lawful and professional enforcement of its statutory responsibilities. Operatives have been repeatedly directed to conduct themselves within the limits of their mandate and to uphold the rights of members of the public in the discharge of their duties.
The Agency therefore urges the public and social media users to verify facts and properly identify the agency or personnel involved before publishing allegations capable of misleading the public or damaging the reputation of a government institution.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Lagos State Taskforce did not demand any permit from the said driver for the inscription of “TRD” on his truck and has no operational mandate to do so.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any genuine incident involving suspected Taskforce personnel through the appropriate channels for proper investigation, rather than relying on unverified claims circulated on social media.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem
Director, Public Affairs
Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce)
