Task Force Boss Releases Seized Vehicles To Owners, To Begin Clampdown Against Touting

LUCKY LAWAL

About seven vehicles had been released by the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi.  He ordered the immediate release of vehicles impounded at the Agency’s traffic yard in the Ikorodu axis of the State over various traffic offenses on learning of alleged touting reported by members of the public against the unit.

According to information gathered, the Chairman who paid an unscheduled working visit to the traffic park yard released those vehicles to their owners, despite various traffic offenses committed including driving against traffic, driving on BRT lane, obstructions among others, after they all pleaded for mercy and admitted their wrong doings.

About seven vehicles were released to their respective owners present while others were informed to report at the unit’s office for proper identification and other processes.

CSP Egbeyemi stated that his decision to free those vehicles was to prove that the Lagos State Government was not out to create hardship in the State but it 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 officer found guilty of such crime.

Egbeyemi reiterated his commitment in ensuring adequate discipline among his men even as he disclosed that any task force member caught collecting bribe or extortion from members of the public will face the wrath of the law. He noted that they will continue to maintain zero tolerance for driving against traffic to make recalcitrant motorists to be law-abiding.

“It is not 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 offender to court, and once anyone is pronounced guilty, such ends in prison”

“How can a sane drive driving against another vehicle coming with speed: this is how innocent people are killed” the Chairman said.

Egbeyemi charged members of the task force to desist from any act that can dent the image of the unit; he pointed out that it would be difficult to enforce law once they engage in corrupt act.

According to him, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi, had declared zero tolerance for corruption and declared that corruption would not have a place during his tenure as police boss in the State.
“I’m appealing to Lagosians to abide with 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” he said.

Egbeyemi said that the unit understands the plight of the masses but that laws must be respected so as to make the State livable for people.

One of the freed vehicles owner before leaving the traffic yard in Ikorodu cast blame of his wrong on passengers, though vowed not to succumb to pressure in the future.
Another offender, one Segun Olusoga, a private taxi driver, claimed that a passenger he had in his vehicle pleaded with him to maneuver traffic that she was late for an appointment.
“I drive Toyota Corolla car with registration number AGL 136 BH, in the process of trying to satisfy my client, I maneuvered traffic and was caught but to my surprise the passenger eventually left me to face my problem.
The case of Akinpelu Atanda with plate number KSF 10 FB was similar as he admitted to wrong doing also pleaded not to repeat it again. “I don’t know why I was in a hurry, now that I was arrested where am rushing to, I can’t go again” he quibbled.