The Lagos State Environment and Special Offence Taskforce Chairman, CSP Yinka Egbeyemi, has ordered the immediate release of vehicles impounded at the agency’s traffic yard in Ikorodu axis of the state.
Egbeyemi, who visited the place on Tuesday, ordered that the vehicles be released to their owners despite various traffic offenses committed, including driving against traffic, driving on BRT lane, obstructions, among others.
The directive came after owners pleaded for mercy and admitted their wrong doings.
It was learnt that no fewer than seven vehicles were released to their owners, with more still to be released.
Sources say the Taskforce Boss was also told of how some officers were involved in touting in the Ikorodu yard to release the vehicles to their owners.
The taskforce boss stated that his decision to free the vehicles was to prove that the Lagos state government was not in place to create hardship in the state.
However, he warned that the state would also not tolerate lawlessness from members of the public.
He explained that the action was also to inform Lagosians that the state government does not encourage touting or bribery and that the agency would take action against any of its agency’s officers found guilty of such crime.
Egbeyemi reiterated his commitment to ensure adequate discipline among his men even as he disclosed that any taskforce member caught collecting bribe or extortion from members of the public will face the wrath of law.
He noted that they will continue to have zero tolerance for driving against traffic to make recalcitrant motorists to be law-abiding.
“It is not true that we are anti-masses. We fight those people that are adamant and defiant. We are not in a state of anarchy, we are in an orderly society where there must be law and order. We take offenders to court, and once anyone is pronounced guilty, such ends in prison.”
“How can a sane driver be driving against another vehicle coming with speed; this is how innocent people are killed,’’ the chairman said.
Egbeyemi charged members of the taskforce to desist from any act that can dent the image of the unit, adding that it would be difficult to enforce law once they engage in corrupt act.
According to him, the Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal had declared zero tolerance to corruption and declared that corruption would not have a place in his tenure as police boss in the state.
“I am appealing to Lagosians to abide by the rules and regulations that guide road use. Be a good citizen and don’t offer members of the task force bribe and in case any of them demand please kindly report.”
Egbeyemi said the unit understood the plights of the masses, but that laws must be respected so as to make the state livable for people.
“These are things we do but people don’t understand. It is my duty to raid when people are doing illegality,” he added.
Daily Trust
