The Lagos State Task Force has denied allegations that its officials break into private homes and garages to seize vehicles and motorcycles, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The allegation surfaced after residents claimed that Task Force officials allegedly took motorcycles belonging to delivery riders during overnight operations.

One of the residents, who contacted Lagos-based activist Segun Olawoye, alleged that Task Force officials arrived on his street at about 2:00 a.m. on August 25, 2026, and removed his delivery motorcycle, a Qlink Champion fitted with a delivery box and fully branded for his business.

According to him, the motorcycle was parked in front of his house when the officials allegedly took it away.

He said he subsequently visited the Task Force office in Oshodi several times to recover the motorcycle but was repeatedly asked to return, without the bike being released.

Another resident, identified as Oluwagbemileke, also alleged that his father-in-law called him during the night to report that Task Force officials had arrived at his garage around Moshalashi Bus Stop in the Alimosho area and taken away his motorcycle.

However, the Task Force rejected the allegations, describing them as “a fallacy from the pit of hell.”

The agency’s Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said the claims were false, misleading and devoid of the facts surrounding the operation.

He said the allegations were an attempt to misrepresent the agency, incite the public and cast aspersions on its leadership.

According to Abdulraheem, the operation at Agric Farm Estate, Ojo, was neither arbitrary nor unauthorised, but followed a formal petition from Community Development Associations (CDAs) in the area.

He said the Olugbemi, Habeeb, Aiyedoto and Otubu CDAs had drawn the attention of the Task Force Chairman, Adetayo Akerele, to the activities of recalcitrant commercial motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada, within their communities.

The communities, he added, alleged that the activities of some of the operators had resulted in injuries to residents, pedestrians and schoolchildren.

“Following these persistent concerns, the CDAs petitioned the Lagos State Government through the Lagos State Task Force on May 23, 2026, with a reminder subsequently submitted on July 30, 2026,” Abdulraheem said.

He explained that the agency conducted surveillance and assessed the situation before carrying out the enforcement operation on August 25.

“It is therefore misleading for any platform to portray the operation as a spontaneous or unauthorised invasion of private premises,” he said.

Abdulraheem said the arrest of suspected illegal commercial motorcycle operators and the impoundment of motorcycles within Agric Farm Estate formed part of the agency’s enforcement against the use of Okada on highways, bridges and other restricted routes across Lagos State.

He added that the Task Force chairman remained committed to the agency’s mandate of preventing criminal activities, restoring order and protecting residents.

While acknowledging that enforcement operations could attract criticism from individuals affected by them, Abdulraheem said the agency would continue to act on credible complaints, intelligence and petitions involving activities considered threats to public order or violations of Lagos State laws.

He also said the agency respected the media’s role in scrutinising government institutions but urged journalists and media platforms to ensure that such scrutiny was based on facts, fairness and responsible reporting.