Lagos TaskForce Arrests 3-Man Syndicate Over Impersonation

Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce have arrested a 3-man syndicate impersonating the agency and extorting unsuspecting members of the public.

The three-man syndicate of Olatunji Adebayo (42) of 27 Babatunde Olumide street, ikotun Egbe; Adewale Adeyemo, (58) of No 2 Oremeji Street, ikorodu and Chinedu Justin (39) from Ajuwon in Ogun State were arrested today at Ojodu Berger, while trying to arrest and impound a vehicle.

According to a release by Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Director, Press & Public Affairs, luck however ran out on them when the victim immediately raised the alarm, drawing the attention of the Lagos State Taskforce which confirmed the men were impersonators.

Speaking on the incident, The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele said he had been on the trail of the men for a while.

He said this was triggered by the numerous reports from members of the public about a certain “Taskforce” team in the practice of arresting motorists and negotiating financial settlements in exchange of the release of their vehicles.

“I receive a lot of calls and complaints online from people saying that men from the Taskforce try to tow their vehicle if they don’t settle them”, Akerele said.

“That is not how we operate here. Not everyone dressed up in black tactical jacket is from the Lagos State Taskforce.

“Some are from other security agencies and units, or impostors like these 3”, Akerele stated.

During cross-examination, one of the suspects, Olatunji Adeboye said they usually target vehicles conveying improperly loaded goods.

He said they try to impound such vehicles which make them settle with money.

“We target private cars mostly, and on a good day we impound 7 vehicles and charge them for driving against traffic (one way) and insecure loading.

“Once in a while we arrest inter-states commercial motorists too”.

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The second suspect narrated that his role is to create fear and panic in the hearts of their victims by forcefully seizing their vehicle keys.

Another suspect, Chinedu said: “The day we were caught I noticed my colleagues attempted to run away after I had blocked the vehicle with my korope, I was confused.

“Before I knew what was happening I was already in the custody of men of Lagos State Taskforce”

Akerele assured that the 3-man syndicate would be prosecuted hoping this would serve as a deterrent to others in the habit of carrying out unlawful arrests and seizure of vehicles and property of innocent members of the public, dragging the name of the Agency in the mud.

“I urge members of the public to continue reporting any suspicious activities to the Agency through our feedback channels for prompt action.

“There is no room for criminality in the State”, he stated.