In a major move to reform road operations, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, has ordered the immediate and complete withdrawal of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) from all traffic control and enforcement duties across the state.
The directive, announced on Tuesday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, is aimed at improving professionalism and ending the overlap of responsibilities within the city’s traffic management system.
Focus on Accountability and Clarity
The Police Command stated that this decision is a strategic effort to streamline operations. By removing the Environmental Taskforce from the roads, the Command intends to ensure more “accountability and clarity” in how traffic laws are enforced.
In an official statement, the Command clarified:
“This directive is part of ongoing efforts to ensure professionalism and clarity in the discharge of duties. While the unit has been withdrawn from traffic-related responsibilities, all other assigned duties and operational mandates of the unit remain fully in force.”
What This Means for Motorists
Targeted Withdrawal: The Taskforce will no longer stop vehicles for traffic contraventions or manage vehicular flow.
Other Duties Continue: The unit will continue to handle its primary mandates, including environmental sanitation and other special legal offenses.
Verification of Authority: The police urged residents and motorists to carefully verify the identity and agency of any personnel before making allegations of misconduct, noting that multiple task forces operate within the state for different purposes.
A Push for Professionalism
The withdrawal comes amid long-standing calls for better-regulated traffic enforcement in Lagos. By narrowing the scope of the Taskforce’s operations, the Police Command hopes to reduce friction between enforcement officers and the public, ensuring that only designated traffic agencies handle road-related offenses.
Residents are advised to stay informed of these changes to avoid being misled by unauthorized personnel claiming to act under the Taskforce’s traffic mandate.
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