Tensions appear to be escalating in the Mile 2 area of Lagos following reports of an alleged killing of an unidentified man by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, commonly known as Taskforce.
A video circulating on social media showed a bonfire that seemed to have been set up on the expressway, presumably by local youths in the area. In response, the Lagos State Police Command has deployed officers to the scene.
In the video, an individual can be heard warning people to avoid the Mile 2 area, claiming that Taskforce officials were responsible for the killing. The voice in the 18-second video said, “Currently at Mile 2. Taskforce has killed somebody. It’s a shutdown and it’s a no-go area. Please avoid the Mile 2 area.”
However, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, Raheem Gbadeyanka, denied that their officials were present at the scene. He stated, “It’s not us. Our men are not there.”
When asked if the state taskforce was conducting any operation in the area, he firmly denied any involvement, maintaining that the state taskforce had no presence near Mile 2.
On the other hand, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that police officers had been dispatched to the scene. He cautioned that the details of the alleged incident were still unclear, saying, “That claim cannot be confirmed yet. Information is still sketchy. However, I can confirm that police patrol teams have arrived at the scene. Obstacles are being cleared, and free flow of traffic is resuming. Further updates to follow.”
Hundeyin also mentioned that the Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, had arrived at the scene, and investigations into the reported killing of a driver were underway.