Why the Police Withdrew Taskforce from Traffic Duties in Lagos

The Lagos State Police Command has ordered the immediate withdrawal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit, widely known as the Taskforce, from all traffic control and enforcement duties across the state.

The directive was issued by the Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, as part of efforts to improve traffic management in Lagos and reduce clashes in responsibilities among different enforcement agencies.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said the move was aimed at improving professionalism, accountability, and clear responsibility in traffic operations.

She explained that although the Taskforce will no longer handle traffic enforcement, the unit will continue to carry out its other lawful duties.

The police also noted that the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit is not the only task force operating in the state. Because of this, residents and motorists were advised to always confirm the identity of officers and agencies before making complaints or allegations, especially in matters relating to traffic enforcement.

The command said it remains committed to protecting lives and property while ensuring that all operations in the state are carried out in line with the law and accepted professional standards. It also urged members of the public to remain law-abiding and cooperate with legitimate security agencies.

The decision comes against the background of growing concerns over the activities of the Taskforce in recent years. Civil society groups and road users have repeatedly raised questions about the conduct of some operatives, especially in traffic-related enforcement.

The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, Okechukwu Nwanguma, recently accused the unit of practices he described as entrapment and extortion of motorists. He alleged that some drivers are tricked into committing traffic offences by street touts believed to be working with enforcement officials stationed nearby.

According to him, some motorists caught in traffic are persuaded to enter restricted routes or lanes, only to be stopped shortly after by Taskforce officials. He claimed that in many cases, such vehicles are seized and taken to impound yards, where owners are asked to pay large sums of cash before they can recover them.

Nwanguma said such experiences have created fear among road users instead of confidence. He added that the absence of transparent procedures and proper payment channels has further weakened public trust in traffic enforcement.

While he acknowledged that Lagos traffic laws provide penalties for offences such as misuse of Bus Rapid Transit lanes, he insisted that enforcement must follow due process and be handled through proper government systems. He said all payments should go through official channels, not through cash transactions or informal middlemen.

He also warned that allowing vehicles to be impounded on public roads without proper identification or documentation creates security risks, as criminals could take advantage by posing as enforcement agents.

To address the problem, he called for reforms such as ending cash payments in enforcement operations, introducing digital payment systems, ensuring clear identification of officers, and using body cameras to improve accountability.

He also urged the government to publish clear guidelines on offences, penalties, and enforcement procedures, and to carry out an independent review of the Taskforce’s activities.

Concerns over the behaviour of some operatives had also drawn the attention of police authorities in Lagos. The immediate past Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, had earlier warned that the Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit could be disbanded if allegations of misconduct and human rights abuses continued.

He said the police would not tolerate unprofessional conduct, especially at a time when complaints of extortion and abuse of power were increasing.