The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, has revealed that the recent wave of online attacks targeted at him and the Agency stems from his refusal to grant special favours to certain social media operators.
According to him, individuals identified as Sheriffdeen Ojon and Objectv had persistently lobbied for the release of motorcycles (popularly known as okada) and vehicles impounded for traffic violations, particularly for plying one-way routes across Lagos roads.
Akerele made this disclosure during a radio programme, Bosenlo, aired on Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM, where he described the actions of the duo as a deliberate and coordinated attempt to undermine the credibility of the Agency and tarnish his reputation as Chairman.
He further stated that he possesses screenshots of Facebook chat messages showing how the individuals allegedly requested preferential treatment and resorted to threats of blackmail and online smear campaigns when their demands were not met.
“It is both sad and embarrassing that individuals who should be using their social media platforms to disseminate meaningful and enlightening information to the public have instead turned them into tools for blackmail, intimidation, and the spread of falsehoods and half-truths,” he said.
While speaking, the Chairman reiterated provisions of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law (2018), emphasizing that vehicles caught driving against traffic are liable to outright forfeiture to the State Government. He stressed that the enforcement of this law is necessary to curb the dangerous practice of one-way driving, which has led to avoidable accidents, loss of lives, and irreversible trauma for affected families.
Akerele urged members of the public to treat information from such platforms with caution, noting that their actions are not only misleading but questionable in intent.
He reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the law without fear or favour, assuring that neither he nor the Agency will be intimidated or distracted from their mandate of ensuring orderliness and safety on Lagos roads.
