Lagos Taskforce Chairman Akerele Vows Crackdown on Environmental Offences, Rejects Social Media Blackmail
The Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce), CSP Adetayo Akerele, has reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to strict enforcement of environmental and traffic laws across Lagos, warning that attempts to blackmail the agency through social media campaigns will not deter it from carrying out its statutory responsibilities.
Akerele made the remarks during a quarterly media parley held at the Multi-Agency Safety Arena in Bolade-Oshodi, where he outlined the Taskforce’s broad mandate to ensure a safe and orderly environment in the state.
According to him, the agency remains focused on maintaining a “safe and convenient metro-city” through sustained enforcement operations, public enlightenment campaigns, and the removal of environmental and security threats.
“The primary duty of the Lagos State Taskforce is to make Lagos, your Lagos, our Lagos, environmentally safe and convenient for all residents,” Akerele said.
He explained that the Taskforce regularly conducts advocacy programmes, raids criminal hideouts, removes illegal shanties, and enforces laws against street trading, open defecation, and traffic violations in different parts of the state.
The chairman also disclosed that the Lagos State Government will resume the monthly voluntary environmental sanitation exercise beginning in April 2026, adding that the Taskforce will play a central role in its implementation to improve public health and sanitation across the state.
Addressing recent controversies surrounding enforcement activities on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors, Akerele stressed that the regulations guiding the use of the lanes were designed strictly in the interest of the public.
“The rules governing the operation or use of the BRT were put in place in the interest of the public, which is what the corridor serves — not Akerele, not members of the Taskforce, not any single agency of the government, but the larger Lagos,” he said.
Akerele also referred to a recent incident involving a social media personality and owner of Objectv, who allegedly accused Taskforce operatives of misconduct after a vehicle was impounded for traffic violations.
According to the Taskforce boss, investigations revealed that the driver had indeed contravened state traffic laws and was lawfully arrested by operatives.
“The driver in question actually contravened state traffic laws. He was lawfully arrested for the offences,” he clarified, adding that attempts to pressure the agency through “subtle blackmail” would not succeed.
Reaffirming the Taskforce’s resolve, Akerele said no individual interest should override the collective interest of residents.
“No single individual is greater than an entire state, and no individual’s interest should outweigh the interests of Lagosians,” he stated.
He further emphasized that the agency would not allow the selfish demands of individuals to derail it from its responsibilities, noting that the Taskforce remains committed to fulfilling the mandate entrusted to it by the state government.
Akerele assured residents that the Taskforce remains open to constructive feedback and collaboration with the public, while maintaining its determination to restore order and environmental sanity across Lagos.
He added that the agency’s operations align with the vision of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to build a cleaner, safer, and more livable mega-city.
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