Introduction

In recent years, concerns about the safety and rights of motorists in Lagos, especially those whose vehicles break down in certain parts of the state, have grown immensely. Motorists whose vehicles develop faults are often subjected to harassment and extortion by miscreants. These individuals, who sometimes pose as helpers or occasionally impersonating government officials, exploit such situations to demand money from stranded/distressed motorists.

In response to these fears and concern, the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, popularly known as the Lagos Task Force, has intensified its operations. The Commissioner of Environment, Hon. Tokunbo Wahab, on the 7^th of January made a post alongside a video parading thirty-two suspected miscreants who had been arrested for harassing motorists and constituting nuisance along Jibowu by the Task Force on X (formerly called Twitter).

The actions of the Task Force were commended by the people on the timeline as road users had grown tired of looking over their shoulders whenever their vehicles developed faults for fear of being held to ransom. This development has however, raises the issue on the legality of such arrests under the law. This article seeks to answer this question by doing an examination of the laws guiding the affairs and actions of the Task Force.

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Lagos Task Force)

The Lagos State Task Force is a body primarily operating under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017 and the Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018. The Task Force operates under the supervision of the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and is empowered to enforce laws relating to public order, environmental protection, traffic safety, and special offences within Lagos State. Under the enabling law, officers of the Task Force are authorized to prevent and abate acts constituting nuisance, obstruction, and threats to public safety, particularly on highways and public spaces.

The Chairman of the Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele in a publication by Punch Newspaper on the 26^th of November, 2025 vowed to intensify the arrest and prosecution of traffic and environmental offenders across the state.

He lamented the losses suffered by the state as a result of traffic indiscipline, drug abuse, one-way driving and criminal activities, stressing that “the creation of a dedicated agency to manage these responsibilities is a bold and strategic move by the government to reduce the human and material loss associated with criminality and lawlessness”. The arrest of thirty-two suspected individuals weeks after this statement was made is in line with the promise to intensify the actions of the task force as mentioned by the Chairman.

Extortion as a Criminal Offence

Section 406 of the Criminal Code Act provides that any person who, with intent to extort or gain anything from any person by way of threats is guilty of a felony and liable to imprisonment for three years. Sections 291 and 292 of the Penal code also criminalizes extortion and prescribes either imprisonment for up to five years, fine or both as a punishment. 

In Chukwudebelu v State (2018) LPELR 46721 CA, the appellate court captured the ingredients for the crime of extortion. For an act to be seen as extortion according to the aforementioned case, it must be made in a way that puts the victim in fear of death or grievous body harm with the intent of obtaining a thing of value.

These ingredients were also adopted by the court in Commissioner of Police v. Abigail Isah FCT/HC/CR/588/2022 where the defendant after having been found guilty of extortion was sentenced in accordance with the Penal code.

These provisions of law explicitly outlaw the actions and conducts of miscreants who lurk in various corners of the road, waiting for whom to prey upon.

Power of Arrest by the Lagos State Task Force

The power of arrest exercised by the Lagos State Task Force is supported by both state and federal legislation. The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit Law empowers Task Force officers to arrest any person reasonably suspected of committing an offence under Lagos State laws within their enforcement mandate.

Section 10 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State (ACJL) authorizes law enforcement officers to arrest a person without a warrant where there is reasonable suspicion of the commission of an offence.

In Olatunbosun v. State (2013) LPELR – 20939, the Supreme Court affirmed that law enforcement agents are entitled to arrest a suspect once reasonable suspicion of a crime exists. This judicial principle validates Task Force interventions against extortionists operating openly on Lagos roads.

Notwithstanding these enforcement powers, due process must be followed and the suspects charged within reasonable time. Room for fair hearing must also be given to the parties in question as one of the suspects in the video allegedly claims to be a loader in one of the parks around where the raid occurred. Failure to act in accordance with the provisions of the law on fair hearing and personal liberty will render the arrest lawful and the officers civilly liable for it.

Conclusion

The arrest of miscreants who accost and extort motorists whose vehicles are damaged on Lagos roads is lawful and firmly supported by statutory provisions under the Criminal Code, Lagos State laws, and established judicial authorities.

Nigerian courts have consistently condemned extortion and impersonation while recognizing the power of enforcement agencies to arrest offenders upon reasonable suspicion. When exercised within constitutional and statutory limits, the Lagos State Task Force plays a vital role in safeguarding motorists, and maintaining public order in Lagos State.

Written by Samuel Ebute Oko