The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Moshood Jimoh, has dismissed allegations circulating on social media claiming that operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Task Force were extorting money from motorists.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters on Monday, the police chief described the viral video as misleading and malicious, saying it was designed to damage the reputation of the task force.
According to Jimoh, the task force plays a key role in maintaining order on the roads, protecting public spaces, and enforcing environmental laws across Lagos State.
He noted that Lagos, with an estimated population of between 23 and 25 million residents, requires strict enforcement of traffic and environmental regulations to prevent chaos and ensure orderly movement.
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The police commissioner explained that the controversy began following an incident that occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026, during a routine operation targeting motorists driving against traffic.
According to him, officers of the Safer Highway Patrol intercepted a motorist identified as Lateef Adeyemo, who allegedly attempted to make an illegal turn against traffic.
Jimoh said the driver tried to evade arrest by reversing his vehicle and rammed into an oncoming commercial minibus, damaging the vehicle and putting the lives of passengers and officers at risk.
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The suspect and his vehicle were later handed over to officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Task Force for further investigation and prosecution, while the damaged minibus was towed to the task force office in Oshodi.
The commissioner added that the suspect resisted arrest and obstructed traffic, which led to a gridlock and disrupted business activities in the area.
He said officers used minimal force to remove the driver from the road in order to restore traffic flow.
Preliminary investigations also indicated that the suspect allegedly attempted to incite bystanders against law enforcement officers, leading to stones and other objects being thrown at security personnel.
Jimoh explained that the viral video circulating online was recorded by the suspect while he was being transported from the scene and did not show the events that led to his arrest.
According to him, the footage deliberately omitted key details and portrayed the officers in a negative light.
The police boss further revealed that the suspect was arraigned before a mobile court sitting in Oshodi on four counts, including conduct likely to cause breach of peace, driving against traffic, obstruction of public officers, and malicious damage to property.
Although the court granted him bail, the suspect was remanded in prison custody after failing to meet the bail conditions.
Jimoh clarified that the police did not send the suspect to prison, stressing that such decisions are made solely by the court once a suspect is formally charged.
He concluded by urging motorists to obey traffic laws and called on the media and the public to verify information before sharing it, while supporting efforts to maintain law and order in the state.
