Lagos Police Commissioner vows to dissolve special task force due to ongoing behavioral issues

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, has issued a stern warning that the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, also known as the Task Force, may face dissolution if it fails to curb instances of misconduct and human rights abuses. This warning was made during a press briefing held in Ikeja on Saturday.

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Commissioner Jimoh emphasized that the command will no longer condone unprofessional behavior among officers attached to the unit, particularly in light of growing allegations of extortion and abuse.

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According to the commissioner, the police will not provide protection to any officer found guilty of wrongdoing, as he stated, "We are not going to defend any police officers who embark on any wrongdoing, we won’t."

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The commissioner's comments were prompted by recent complaints against the task force, including allegations of extortion and involvement in civil matters, which have sparked concern among residents, and a viral video showing operatives allegedly arresting lawyers over a land dispute further fueled criticism of the unit's activities.

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In response to these developments, Commissioner Jimoh noted that the command has already taken disciplinary action in previous cases and will not hesitate to do so again if necessary, citing the example of charging five police officers to court for a case in Owode Onirin.

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He urged members of the public to provide credible evidence to aid in the investigation of officers accused of misconduct, stressing that such evidence is crucial to the process.

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The command has issued a strong warning to task force officials, making it clear that further verified cases of abuse could lead to drastic action, including the dissolution of the entire unit and the deployment of new officers.

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Commissioner Jimoh stated, "We have read the riot act to them… that if I have a complaint of any wrongdoing again, and it is verifiable and investigated, I will not hesitate to dissolve the entire task force and bring in a new set of officers to join them."

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Reforms are already underway, including the deployment of newly screened officers to the unit, with Commissioner Jimoh adding, "As we speak, we have been posting new officers to the task force after thorough background checks, training, and reorientation."

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The command plans to collaborate with civil society organisations and human rights groups to improve accountability and professionalism within the unit, as Commissioner Jimoh said, "We are going to engage human rights organisations and CSOs so that we can broaden their minds on human rights."

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The Lagos State Task Force had previously dismissed allegations that its operatives towed a vehicle in Ijesha and demanded ₦250,000 for its release, with the agency's spokesperson, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, describing the claim as false and malicious.

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Abdulraheem maintained that the unit would continue to enforce traffic and environmental laws without compromise, urging residents to submit verifiable complaints through official channels.

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Commissioner Jimoh reiterated that the police command remains open to feedback from residents as part of efforts to address lapses and improve service delivery across the state.