Lagos task force arrests ex-officer for impersonation

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, known as the Lagos State Taskforce, has arrested a former officer, Yahaya Salami, also called Adams. He was arrested for impersonation and extortion.

Salami was caught at Oshodi Bus Stop, Lagos, on Saturday. This happened after he allegedly refused to answer questions from the agency’s officers.

His arrest came after a video went viral. The video showed task force officers apprehending him, which got a lot of reactions on social media.

On Sunday, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the agency’s Director of Public Affairs, explained that Salami was fired months ago. His dismissal was due to serious misconduct, including theft, using a fake ID, extorting drivers and traders, and being disrespectful.

Even after being fired, the agency claimed that Salami kept pretending to be an active officer.

CSP Adetayo Akerele, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, said, "The individual seen in the viral video is a former operative who no longer has any connection with the Lagos State Taskforce."

He added, "His alleged continued impersonation of the agency’s personnel is a serious concern. This can mislead the public and harm trust in real law enforcement officers."

The agency mentioned that its officers tried many times to find Salami before finally catching him at Oshodi.

They said Salami resisted arrest after he turned down an invitation for questioning. But he was eventually arrested using careful planning and professionalism, with little force.

The task force noted that the arrest is part of their plan to stop fired personnel and unauthorized people from misusing the agency’s name for illegal activities.

Salami is expected to face charges in court on Monday, once all necessary steps are followed.

Akerele warned former officers and others against pretending to be task force officials. He said, "The agency will not accept any attempt by fired personnel or unauthorized people to falsely present themselves as serving officers or engage in activities that could damage the agency's reputation."

He urged the public to check the identities of people claiming to be task force officials. People should report any suspicious activities through the right channels.

Akerele also asked journalists to verify claims and get responses from the right sources before publishing. He stressed the need for balanced and factual reporting.

The agency stated that its public awareness campaigns across all of Lagos State's 57 local government areas aim to encourage compliance with the law, maintain order, and improve public safety.