By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
Pandemonium erupted at the Mile 2 axis of Apapa – Oshodi Expressway at the early hours of today, following the alleged killing of a truck driver by gunmen suspected to be security operatives.
Consequently, touts and miscreants were said to have attacked the security operatives believed to be officials of the Lagos State Taskforce, leading to disruption of lawful activities on the road.
It was learnt that the taskforce drivers left the scene after they realised that the driver had died and more hoodlums were about joining their colleagues to attack them.
Following the exit of the security operatives, the hoodlums took over the entire stretch of the road leading to Apapa, leaving commuters stranded, as many commercial bus operators who have been alerted of the development avoided the route.
Our correspondent gathered that the miscreants blocked the road, setting bonfire, creating fear and tension.
While confirming the incident, the Lagos State Police Command Spokesperson SP Benjamin Hundeyin said the Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Owohunwa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the death.
He noted that the order was given during the inspection of the scene of the clash by Owohunwa to ensure normalcy returns to the axis.
In a terse statement released on his official Social Media handle, Hundeyin disclosed that a patrol team was still on ground to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
“CP Idowu Owohunwa is on ground at Mile 2 to assess the situation. Total normalcy has been restored. Meanwhile, investigation into the killing of a driver has commenced”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Other Offences has distanced itself from the incident, saying non of its operatives was deployed to the axis.
In a statement by its Director of Public Affairs Unit, Abdul-Raheem Gbadeyan, the Agencyn noted that the Taskforce being referred to by residents could be those set up by other arms of government.
According to the statement, the Chairman of the agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye said that the agency is usually mistaken for other enforcement units, adding that taskforce personnel are clearly adorned in tactical jackets with the word “Taskforce” clearly inscribed in front and behind with unique identification numbers.
It reads, ” The attention of the Lagos State Taskforce has been drawn to a report making rounds that officials of the Agency were involved in the killing of an unidentified individual along Mile 2 axis this morning.
” The Agency would like to clearly state that none of its personnel were posted out for operations today except for officers posted to Freedom Park, Ojota, and Maryland to maintain peace and orderliness where a rally by the Nigerian Labour Congress has been scheduled.
” The Agency is usually mistaken for other enforcement units, but he stated that taskforce personnel are clearly adorned in tactical jackets with the word “Taskforce” clearly inscribed in front and behind with unique identification numbers.
“None of our men were posted out today for environmental and traffic operations, rather they were only posted to freedom park to maintain peace and orderliness during the planned NLC rally so that miscreants and other sinister forces do not hijack the protest. Our operational jackets are clearly branded with unique identification numbers for members of the public to recognize during our operations”
The chairman urged those pointing accusing fingers at the agency to further beam their searchlight at other public or private establishments who branded their enforcement units as taskforce.
He also said that the agency will do all within its power to get to the root of the matter and ensure that perpetrators of the heinous crime are brought to book.
