Lagos State’s Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, commonly known as the Task Force, detained a former operative on Sunday for alleged impersonation of a task‑force officer and extortion of motorists and traders, the agency said in a statement.
The suspect was apprehended at the Oshodi bus‑stop after a video of his arrest circulated widely on social media. CSP Adetayo Akerele, chairman of the task force, disclosed that the individual had been dismissed several months earlier for misconduct that included theft, use of a fake identity card, extortion and indiscipline.
According to Akerele, the former paramilitary operative continued to present himself as a serving task‑force official, a practice that could mislead the public and erode confidence in legitimate law‑enforcement activities. Operatives who approached him for questioning were met with resistance; the suspect rejected the invitation and resisted arrest before being captured through coordinated tactics and minimal force.
The task force stressed that the detained individual no longer has any affiliation with the agency and warned that impersonation undermines public trust. Residents were urged to verify the identities of anyone claiming to be task‑force officials and to report suspicious activity through the appropriate channels.
The suspect is slated to be arraigned in court on Monday after the investigation is completed. Akerele also called on journalists to verify allegations and obtain responses from relevant parties before publishing, emphasizing the need for balanced and responsible reporting.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
