The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has apprehended three men impersonating its officers while extorting money from unsuspecting motorists.

Chairman of the task force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, confirmed the arrests in a statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, on Sunday in Lagos.

Mr Akerele said the suspects, aged 39, 42 and 58, were caught on Tuesday at Ojodu Berger while attempting to detain a motorist.

He said, “Their arrest followed a swift intervention after the motorist contacted a task force officer, who confirmed they were impostors before their detention.”

The task force boss noted that the agency had been monitoring the suspects due to numerous complaints about a fake team extorting drivers.

He stated, “I receive calls and online complaints from people whose vehicles were threatened unless they paid. That is not how we operate. Not everyone dressed in a black tactical jacket is from the task force. Some are impostors, like these three.”

He said the suspects targeted mainly private vehicles, particularly those carrying goods loaded improperly.

“The suspects arrest them and threaten to impound their vehicles until they pay. They impound about seven vehicles daily, often citing traffic or loading offences,” he stated  

Mr Akerele assured the public that the suspects would face prosecution and warned others against impersonating government officials.

“This should deter anyone tarnishing the agency’s image through illegal arrests and vehicle seizures,” he said.

He urged members of the public to continue reporting suspicious activities through official feedback channels.

 “There is no room for criminality in Lagos State,” Mr Akerele said. 

(NAN)