The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, popularly known as the Lagos State Taskforce, has denied reports circulating on social media that its officers stopped a truck driver and demanded a permit for the inscription of “TRD” on the vehicle.
The agency described the claim as false and misleading, stressing that demanding permits for inscriptions on vehicles is not part of its statutory responsibilities.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the Taskforce said it had no reason to stop or accost a driver over the inscription because such an activity does not fall within its operational mandate.
The agency also clarified that its personnel are no longer involved in traffic-related enforcement following a directive by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
According to the Taskforce, its operatives have stopped arresting motorists or enforcing traffic offences and are not authorised to stop vehicles for traffic violations.
The agency therefore urged members of the public to exercise caution before attributing the actions of uniformed personnel to the Lagos State Taskforce.
It explained that the presence of a camouflage or similar uniform does not automatically mean that the person wearing it is a Taskforce operative, noting that several security and law-enforcement agencies operate across Lagos State with different responsibilities and uniforms.
The Taskforce, under the leadership of its Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said it remains committed to carrying out its statutory duties in accordance with the law.
It added that its officers had been repeatedly instructed to operate within the limits of their mandate and respect the rights of members of the public while performing their duties.
The agency further called on social media users to verify information and properly identify the personnel or agency involved before publishing allegations that could mislead the public or damage the reputation of government institutions.
“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,” the statement said.
The agency encouraged anyone with a genuine complaint involving suspected Taskforce personnel to report the matter through the appropriate channels for investigation.
It advised members of the public not to rely solely on unverified claims circulated on social media when reporting incidents involving law-enforcement personnel.
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