Three arrested for impersonating Lagos Taskforce officers

Forum 3 months ago

Three arrested for impersonating Lagos Taskforce officers

Lagos State Taskforce has uncovered and dismantled a criminal ring accused of posing as its operatives to extort money from motorists across parts of the state.

Three suspects; Olatunji Adebayo, 42; Adewale Adeyemo, 58; and Chinedu Justin, 39, were arrested in the Ojodu Berger area following a tip-off from a motorist who became suspicious of their activities and alerted genuine Taskforce officials.

In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Affairs of the agency, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, disclosed that the syndicate had been on the agency’s radar after repeated complaints from members of the public.

“I receive numerous calls and online complaints from people who claim that individuals presenting themselves as Taskforce officers attempted to tow their vehicles unless they were settled. That is not how we operate,” Akerele said.

He cautioned the public against mistaking impostors for genuine operatives, adding, “Not everyone wearing a black tactical jacket belongs to the Lagos State Taskforce. Some are from other security agencies, while others, like these suspects, are outright impostors.”

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to impounding an average of seven vehicles daily as part of their illegal operation.

One of them, Adebayo, explained their modus operandi: “We usually target vehicles conveying goods that are improperly loaded. We threaten to impound them and demand money. Most times, we go after private cars, charging them for offences like driving against traffic or unsafe loading. On good days, we impound up to seven vehicles. Sometimes, we also arrest inter-state commercial drivers.”

Another suspect, Justin, narrated how they were eventually apprehended.

“On the day we were arrested, I noticed my colleagues suddenly tried to escape after I had blocked a vehicle with my korope bus. I didn’t understand what was happening until I realised I was already in the custody of the real Taskforce officers,” he said.

CSP Akerele assured residents that the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the law and reiterated the agency’s zero tolerance for criminal activities.

He urged the public to remain alert and continue to report suspicious conduct.

“I encourage residents to make use of our feedback channels to report any questionable activity for immediate action. There is no place for criminality in Lagos State,” he said.