The Lagos State Task force has arrested a former operative, Yahaya Salami, popularly known as Adams, over allegations that he continued to impersonate agency personnel and extort motorists and traders months after his dismissal.

The arrest at Oshodi Bus Stop followed the circulation of a viral video showing operatives apprehending Salami, who the agency said had been dismissed over alleged gross misconduct.

According to the task force, the former paramilitary operative was dismissed several months ago over allegation of theft, use of a fake identity card, extortion, indiscipline and other breaches of its regulations.

However, despite his dismissal, he allegedly continued to present himself as a serving official.

The agency said its operatives had made previous attempts to track him down, saying that when they eventually approached him and invited him for questioning, he reportedly declined to cooperate and resisted arrest.

The operatives subsequently apprehended him after bringing the situation under control.

Director of Public Affairs of the Task force, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, quoted the agency’s Chairman, Adetayo Akerele, as saying that the individual in the viral video was a former operative who no longer had any affiliation with the agency.

Akerele said the alleged impersonation was a serious concern because it could mislead members of the public and undermine confidence in legitimate law enforcement operations.

He said the arrest demonstrated the agency’s resolve to prevent dismissed personnel and unauthorised individuals from exploiting its name and authority for unlawful purposes.

The chairman added that the suspect was expected to be charged before a competent court subject to the completion of the necessary procedures.

He warned dismissed personnel and other individuals against falsely presenting themselves as serving task force officers or engaging in activities capable of damaging the agency’s reputation.

Akerele also urged residents to verify the identities of people claiming to be task force officials and report suspicious activities through appropriate channels.

He called on journalists to verify allegations, obtain responses from relevant parties and ensure balanced reporting to prevent misinformation and sustain public confidence.