Monday, January 12, 2026 - The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has apprehended three men impersonating its officers while extorting money from unsuspecting motorists.
Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, confirmed the arrests in a
statement signed by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, on
Sunday in Lagos.
Akerele said the suspects, aged 39, 42 and 58, were caught
on Tuesday at Ojodu Berger while attempting to detain a motorist.
“Their arrest followed a swift intervention after the
motorist contacted a Taskforce officer, who confirmed they were impostors
before their detention,” he said.
The Taskforce boss noted the agency had been monitoring the
suspects due to numerous complaints about a fake team extorting drivers.
“I receive calls and online complaints from people whose
vehicles were threatened unless they paid. That is not how we operate.
“Not everyone dressed in a black tactical jacket is from the
Taskforce. Some are impostors, like these three,” he added.
He said the suspects targeted mainly private vehicles,
particularly those carrying goods loaded improperly.
“The suspects arrest them and threaten to impound their
vehicles until paid. They impound about seven vehicles daily, often citing
traffic or loading offences,” he said.
Akerele assured the public that the suspects would face
prosecution and warned others against impersonating government officials.
“This should deter anyone tarnishing the agency’s image
through illegal arrests and vehicle seizures,” he said.
He urged members of the public to continue reporting
suspicious activities through official feedback channels.
“There is no room for criminality in Lagos State,” Akerele said.
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