Funmilola Olowookere
The Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Taskforce) Unit, CSP Tayo Akerele, has delivered a robust account of reforms reshaping one of Nigeria’s most visible enforcement agencies, while forcefully rejecting a wave of allegations he describes as “distorted narratives driven by vested interests.”
Speaking at a high-level media parley in Lagos as part of a structured quarterly engagement with journalists, Akerele presented a portrait of an agency in transition: increasingly data-driven, more accountable, and determined to recalibrate its relationship with the public amid rising scrutiny and the disruptive influence of social media.
At the heart of the Taskforce’s reform agenda, he said, is a deliberate shift toward transparency and citizen engagement. One of his earliest moves upon assuming office was the creation of a Public Feedback Desk at the agency’s headquarters, an initiative designed to give residents a direct, accessible channel to report infractions, lodge complaints, and provide actionable intelligence.
That system, he noted, has already begun to transform operations, particularly during high-risk enforcement periods such as crackdowns on criminal networks linked to the notorious “one-chance” syndicates, operated by fraudulent transporters who prey on unsuspecting commuters.
Complementing this initiative are three newly established mobile survey teams deployed across Lagos to monitor environmental and security conditions in real time.
These teams gather granular data, identify emerging hotspots, and feed intelligence back into the agency’s operational command structure, enabling what Akerele described as “precision enforcement rather than reactive policing.”
“We are building a system that listens before it acts,” he said. “Without credible information from residents and the media, enforcement becomes guesswork. Our goal is to make it targeted, efficient, and measurable.”
A key innovation underpinning this approach is what the chairman termed “boundary policing”, a strategy that prioritises inter-agency collaboration over jurisdictional rivalry.
In a sprawling megacity like Lagos, where administrative lines often blur, Akerele argued that seamless cooperation between security and regulatory bodies is essential to addressing crime and disorder effectively.
“This is not about who owns a territory,” he explained. “It is about ensuring that no space becomes a vacuum for lawlessness.”
On the environmental front, the Taskforce has intensified sanitation campaigns across the state, with repeated interventions in flashpoints such as Fagba.
Yet Akerele acknowledged that enforcement alone cannot guarantee lasting change. Illegal structures, informal trading, and encroachments on critical infrastructure, particularly railway corridors which continue to undermine progress.
He recounted a recent operation along the Fagba rail line that underscored both the risks faced by operatives and the complexity of the challenge. Taskforce officials, he said, were met with violent resistance from miscreants who hurled stones and attempted to sabotage demolition efforts by setting makeshift structures ablaze.
“It was a volatile situation,” he said. “Our officers were attacked, yet they remained professional and carried out their duties. But this also highlights a deeper issue—without community ownership, these problems will persist.”
Public safety, he stressed, remains non-negotiable. He warned against hazardous practices such as trading on railway tracks, describing them as “accidents waiting to happen,” and urged residents to prioritise safety over short-term economic gains.
Akerele also outlined a more strategic approach to tackling illegal commercial motorcycle operations, commonly known as okada.
Rather than engaging in high-speed chases that endanger both officers and civilians, the Taskforce now relies on intelligence to identify operational hubs and peak activity periods.
“It is not about chasing individuals,” he said. “It is about dismantling the system that enables the violations.”
Addressing concerns over the conduct of auxiliary personnel loosely described often as “paramilitary”, the chairman clarified that such staff serve strictly in support roles, including logistics and equipment handling, and do not replace trained law enforcement officers.
While conceding that isolated cases of misconduct have occurred, he insisted that these are investigated thoroughly and dealt with decisively.
The media briefing, however, was dominated by Akerele’s response to allegations circulated by the online platform #beobjectv, which he dismissed as unfounded and rooted in personal grievances.
According to him, some of the claims stem from individuals who had sought to improperly influence enforcement actions, including attempts to secure the release of impounded motorcycles outside due process.
In one cited case, he said, the agency conducted a detailed internal review, including video evidence, which confirmed that a motorist had indeed violated traffic regulations.
The matter, he added, was handled transparently and in accordance with established legal procedures.
“We do not act on impulse; we act on evidence,” Akerele stated. “Every allegation raised has been scrutinised, and our actions remain consistent with the law.”
He further revealed that the Commissioner of Police had previously examined related complaints and upheld the agency’s position, while encouraging any individuals with credible contrary evidence to come forward.
Beyond the specifics of the allegations, Akerele used the occasion to sound a broader warning about the proliferation of misinformation in the digital age.
The rise of social media, he said, has blurred the lines between professional journalism and unverified content, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish fact from fiction.
“Not everyone with a platform is a journalist,” he remarked. “Credibility matters. Verification matters. We must resist the temptation to accept every narrative at face value.”
Despite the tensions, the chairman struck a conciliatory tone in his closing remarks, reaffirming the Taskforce’s commitment to openness, professionalism, and sustained engagement with both the media and the public.
“The responsibility for order in Lagos does not rest on enforcement agencies alone,” he said. “It is a shared duty—between government, communities, and citizens. Only through that collective effort can we achieve lasting impact.”
The parley concluded with renewed calls for deeper collaboration between the Taskforce and the press, underscoring the critical role of accurate reporting in shaping public trust and supporting the ongoing drive to maintain environmental order and public safety in Africa’s largest city.
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