By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Lagos State Taskforce has dismissed as false and misleading a report by Objectv, which alleged that officials of the agency and its leadership gate-crashed into a compound and Okada garage during an enforcement operation at Agric Farm Estate, Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.
The agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, disclosed this in a statement, explaining that the operation followed a formal petition from the Olugbemi, Habeeb, Aiyedoto and Otubu Community Development Associations (CDAs), who had drawn the attention of the Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, to the activities of recalcitrant commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada, within their communities.
According to the statement, the CDAs alleged that the operators used the estate and adjoining communities as a base after plying highways during the day.
The communities also raised concerns about indiscriminate defecation around drains and green areas along the Badagry Expressway, environmental pollution, dangerous riding, and the obstruction of inner roads, adding that the operators’ activities had led to injuries among residents, pedestrians and schoolchildren.
The Taskforce said the CDAs had made several attempts to regulate the operators and bring them into compliance, including the introduction of estate-branded numbered vests to help identify and report erring riders, but that these interventions were met with resistance and, on some occasions, attacks involving dangerous weapons.
Following the persistent concerns, the CDAs petitioned the Lagos State Government through the Taskforce on May 23, 2026, with a reminder subsequently submitted on July 30, 2026.
The agency said it thereafter conducted strategic surveillance and assessment of the situation before carrying out the enforcement operation on August 25, 2026.
The Taskforce maintained that it was misleading for any platform to portray the operation as a spontaneous or unauthorised invasion of private premises, adding that the arrest of suspected illegal operators and the impoundment of motorcycles within the estate formed part of enforcement activities against the operation of Okada on highways, bridges and other restricted routes in Lagos State.
It stressed that the action was carried out pursuant to existing restrictions on commercial motorcycle operations and within its statutory mandate to protect public safety, maintain order and ensure compliance with the laws of the state.
On the Chairman’s involvement, the Taskforce said Akerele remained focused on the mandate entrusted to him by the appropriate authorities, noting that his participation in enforcement initiatives, including Operation Kó Ṣàyé, aligned with the broader security objectives of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to disrupt criminal activities and prevent criminal elements from exploiting operational gaps across Lagos.
The agency rejected any attempt to portray its enforcement activities as personal vendettas or arbitrary actions, describing it as curious that its Chairman continued to feature prominently in Objectv’s reports whenever enforcement activities were discussed.
It maintained that it would not be distracted by personal attacks, sensational reporting or attempts to undermine the credibility of its leadership, adding that the Nigerian Police Force leadership and the Lagos State Government were fully aware of the responsibilities entrusted to the agency and its Chairman.
While acknowledging that enforcement actions may sometimes attract criticism from those affected by them, the Taskforce insisted that such actions remained necessary where violations of the law posed threats to public safety, environmental sanitation and the security of residents.
It said it would continue to act on credible complaints, intelligence and petitions concerning activities that threaten public order or violate the laws of Lagos State.
The Taskforce advised media platforms and members of the public to verify facts before publishing or disseminating allegations capable of misleading the public or damaging the reputation of individuals and institutions, stressing that while it respected the right of the media to scrutinise government agencies, such scrutiny must be anchored on facts, fairness and responsible journalism.
It concluded by stating that it remained resolute in the discharge of its statutory mandate and would continue to enforce compliance with the law to rid the state of criminal elements and activities capable of undermining the peace, safety and security of Lagosians.
