Lagos Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh has issued a stern warning to the state’s environmental and traffic enforcement unit, saying he will not stop short of disbanding the task force if misconduct allegations are proven.
Jimoh made the declaration during a press briefing on Saturday, drawing a hard line against what he described as a growing culture of unprofessionalism within the unit.
The warning follows a wave of complaints against task force operatives, including allegations of extortion and abuse of power.
Tensions rose further after footage released by newsmen, captured officers detaining lawyers over land disputes, a civil matter widely seen as outside the scope of police authority, drawing sharp public backlash.
The commissioner said any officer accused of extortion, torture, or rights violations would face investigation, though he stressed that complainants must come forward with concrete evidence to allow the process to move forward.
Jimoh disclosed that he had already sat down with task force officials to deliver a direct message, adding that new personnel were being deployed to the unit following background screening, training and reorientation.
“We are not going to defend any police officers who embarks on any wrongdoing. We won’t,” he said.
“If I can charge five police officers to court for the case in Owode Onirin, then who will I not discipline if there is wrongdoing?
“We want the general public to know that we are not covering the task force. We have read the riot act to them yesterday 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.
“We are going to engage human rights organisations and CSOs so that we can broaden their minds on human rights.”
Jimoh added that the command remains open to dialogue with residents to identify policing gaps and make the necessary improvements.
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