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Olorundare Enimola
The Lagos State Taskforce has dismissed allegations that its officials unlawfully stormed a private compound during an enforcement operation against commercial motorcyclists, popularly known as Okada, describing the claims as “false, misleading and malicious.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency accused online platform Objectv of misrepresenting an enforcement operation carried out on August 25, 2026, at Agric Farm Estate in Ojo Local Government Area, insisting that the exercise was a lawful response to repeated complaints from residents and community leaders.
The Taskforce said the operation followed formal petitions submitted by four Community Development Associations (CDAs); Olugbemi, Habeeb, Aiyedoto and Otubu, which alleged that commercial motorcycle operators had turned the estate into a base after operating on restricted highways across Lagos.
According to the agency, residents complained of reckless motorcycle riding, obstruction of internal roads, indiscriminate waste disposal and open defecation around drains and green areas, as well as incidents in which pedestrians and schoolchildren were reportedly injured.
The Taskforce said community leaders had made several attempts to regulate the operators, including introducing numbered identification vests for riders operating within the estate.
However, those efforts allegedly met resistance, with some operators reportedly attacking residents with dangerous weapons.
It added that after receiving an initial petition in May and a follow-up reminder in July, officials conducted surveillance before carrying out the enforcement exercise.
“The operation was neither arbitrary nor an unauthorised invasion of private premises,” the agency said, stressing that the arrests of suspected illegal commercial motorcycle operators and the impoundment of motorcycles were carried out under Lagos State laws restricting commercial motorcycle operations on highways, bridges and other prohibited routes.
The Taskforce maintained that its primary responsibility is to safeguard public safety, preserve order and enforce compliance with state regulations, rejecting suggestions that the operation targeted innocent residents.
Responding to criticism directed at its Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, the agency said he remained committed to his statutory responsibilities and would not be distracted by what it described as personal attacks or sensational reporting.
It noted that Akerele’s participation in security operations, including the ongoing Operation Kó Ṣàyé, is consistent with broader law enforcement efforts aimed at tackling criminal activities and strengthening public security across Lagos.
The agency also questioned what it described as Objectv’s repeated focus on its chairman whenever enforcement operations are reported, while reaffirming its confidence in the support of both the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force.
The Taskforce said enforcement operations against illegal commercial motorcycle activities would continue wherever credible intelligence, public complaints or petitions indicated violations of the law.
It also urged media organisations to verify allegations before publication, emphasising that while it welcomes public scrutiny, journalism should be guided by accuracy, fairness and responsible reporting.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing state laws, maintaining public order and addressing activities it believes threaten the safety and security of residents across Lagos.
