The Lagos State Taskforce has dismissed a viral social media report alleging that a police officer attached to the Agency was caught stealing while on duty, describing the claim as false and malicious.
In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the Agency explained that the officer was part of the Taskforce Environmental Services Unit on a routine enforcement operation along Brown Street, Oshodi, on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at about 10:00 a.m., when the team was violently attacked by a mob.
According to the Taskforce, the operation focused on clearing road obstructions, including indiscriminately displayed goods, illegally parked vehicles, and other activities encroaching on walkways—measures considered especially critical as human and vehicular movement increases during the festive season.
The statement noted that street traders, area boys, and illegal ticket collectors exploited the tension created by the enforcement exercise to launch an unprovoked attack on the team. During the assault, the attackers attempted to snatch a service rifle and inflicted serious injuries on a Taskforce operative.
Officers on ground applied minimal force to restore order, after which four suspects—Dele Oriade (39), Adekunle Olalere (40), Mudashiru Olamilekan (28), and Anayo Achusie (34)—were arrested. They are expected to be prosecuted, while other fleeing suspects remain under investigation.
The Agency urged the public to disregard the misleading narrative circulating online, describing it as a deliberate attempt to distort facts and divert attention from what it called a “criminal and potentially fatal assault” on government officials carrying out lawful duties.
The incident has since been escalated to the Lagos State Police Command for further investigation.
Commenting on the matter, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Moshood Jimoh, assured residents of strengthened security presence across the State. He emphasized that all acts of criminality or attempts to undermine law and order will be met with decisive action.
