A Nigeria Customs Service officer, identified as Cyril, has accused members of the Lagos State Task Force of damaging his car and demanding a bribe of N200,000 in the Apapa area of Lagos State.
Cyril recounted the incident, stating that while returning from work and approaching the Warehouse Road junction, he found the road blocked. He took an alternative route when two commercial buses suddenly appeared, crashing into his vehicle. It was only after confronting the drivers that Cyril realized they were task force officials.
He explained that some of the officials were dressed in police uniforms, while others resembled thugs. Despite his efforts to explain that the main road was closed, they confiscated his car keys and handed them over to one of the men, who drove the car to their office.
Cyril’s car was taken to Alausa in Ikeja, where he was asked to pay a fine of N200,000. He expressed shock when the officials requested the payment in cash, suspecting foul play.
The task force spokesperson, Raheem Gbadeyanka, suggested that it could be a case of impersonation, as their officers do not use commercial buses. He added that if no offense was committed, Cyril should have demanded that the officials repair his vehicle rather than paying them.
This incident follows similar complaints from commercial drivers in the Ladipo Spare Parts Market area, who have reported harassment and extortion by individuals posing as task force officials.
