The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce) has rejected allegations circulating online that its officials demanded a N250,000 bribe after towing a vehicle in the Ijesha area of Lagos.
In a statement issued on Wednesday night, the agency’s spokesperson, Mr Gbadeyan Abdulraheem described the claims as false, defamatory, and lacking any factual foundation
Abdulraheem clarified that no vehicle was towed from Ijesha to the taskforce yard in Alausa contradicting reports shared on social media.
He added that the vehicle owner reportedly confirmed that the car was not in the custody of the taskforce, but located elsewhere.
According to the spokesperson, the allegations appear to be part of attempts to undermine the agency’s operations and damage its public image.
He suggested that such claims often arise in response to strict enforcement actions, particularly regarding the ban on commercial motorcycles (okada) on restricted routes in Lagos.
The taskforce reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, stating that it would not yield to pressure, misinformation, or attempts to influence its activities.
Abdulraheem emphasised that the agency does not engage in unofficial arrangements and warned that bypassing due process in releasing seized items could weaken law enforcement standards.
He urged residents to ignore the circulating claims and rely on verified information from official sources.
The spokesperson also encouraged members of the public with genuine complaints to provide evidence through the taskforce’s official communication channels.
He further called on bloggers and social media users to prioritise accuracy and professionalism by verifying information before publishing, in order to support accountability and the rule of law.
