Lagos Taskforce Denies Demand for ‘TRD’ Inscription Permit

Lagos Taskforce Denies Demand for ‘TRD’ Inscription Permit

By Temidayo Babalola 

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, popularly known as the Lagos State Taskforce, has dismissed as false a social media report alleging that its personnel stopped a truck driver and demanded a permit for the inscription of “TRD” on the vehicle.

The agency, in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said demanding permits for inscriptions on vehicles was not part of its statutory or operational responsibilities.

It therefore urged members of the public to disregard the allegation, stressing that there was no basis for its officers to stop or accost any driver over such an inscription.

The Taskforce also clarified that, following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, discontinuing traffic-related enforcement by its personnel, its operatives no longer arrest motorists or enforce traffic offences.

According to the agency, its personnel are not authorised to stop vehicles for traffic violations or undertake traffic enforcement operations.

The Taskforce further cautioned members of the public against hastily attributing the activities of uniformed personnel to the agency, noting that several security and law-enforcement agencies operate across Lagos State, each with different mandates and uniforms.

It said the appearance of an individual in camouflage or a similar uniform did not automatically establish that such a person was a Taskforce operative.

The agency, under the leadership of its Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, reiterated its commitment to disciplined, lawful and professional enforcement of its statutory responsibilities.

It added that its personnel had been repeatedly directed to operate strictly within the limits of their mandate while respecting the rights of members of the public.

The Taskforce also appealed to social media users and members of the public to verify allegations and properly identify the agency or personnel involved before publishing reports capable of misleading the public or damaging the reputation of government institutions.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Lagos State Taskforce did not demand any permit from the said driver for the inscription of ‘TRD’ on his truck and has no operational mandate to do so,” the statement said.

The agency encouraged anyone with a genuine complaint involving suspected Taskforce personnel to report the matter through the appropriate channels for investigation, rather than relying on unverified claims circulating on social media.