A concerned Lagosian has formally appealed to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, urging him to reconsider any move to disband the Lagos State Task Force, describing the unit as a critical pillar of urban order and traffic discipline.
The appeal, prompted by circulating reports suggesting a possible disbandment, followed unsuccessful attempts to reach the police chief directly, with the writer opting to present a firsthand account of the Task Force’s impact in restoring sanity to troubled areas.
At the centre of the intervention is the Daleko Market Bridge inward Mushin, a once notorious flashpoint for traffic violations, where motorists routinely flouted one-way rules and executed illegal U-turns with brazen disregard for safety and order.
Before the Task Force’s sustained presence, the axis was plagued by chaos, with frequent accidents and near-daily incidents of reckless driving that endangered both motorists and pedestrians.
The situation, the petitioner noted, reached a tragic peak just months ago when a dispatch rider lost his life after being struck by a vehicle making an illegal turn near the Ladipo Auto Spare Parts Market, an avoidable incident emblematic of the lawlessness that prevailed.
Worse still, in the absence of enforcement officers, particularly during early hours, criminal elements commonly referred to as “Area Boys” reportedly seized control of the corridor, orchestrating traffic violations while extorting motorists sums exceeding ₦1,000 per passage.
Order, however, began to return following a direct petition to the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, Adetayo Akerele, whose prompt response led to decisive enforcement actions that restored discipline where conventional policing had struggled.
The writer commended the Task Force’s swift intervention, noting that their consistent presence has significantly curbed infractions and reinstated confidence among law-abiding residents and commuters in the axis.
Against this backdrop, the petitioner warned that disbanding the Task Force would amount to a dangerous reversal, potentially reopening the door to traffic anarchy and the resurgence of informal cartels exploiting regulatory gaps.
Rather than dissolution, the appeal advocates targeted reforms, including enhanced professional training, stricter internal disciplinary mechanisms, and sustained operational deployment to consolidate existing gains.
In conclusion, the writer stressed that Lagos must not sacrifice a functional enforcement structure on the altar of isolated infractions, urging the police hierarchy to uphold the supremacy of the law and preserve a system that continues to serve as a deterrent against disorder.