Lagos Taskforce Boss Accuses Social Media Operators Of Smear Campaign Over Traffic Crackdown

The Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce), CSP Adetayo Akerele, has alleged that recent online attacks against him and the agency are the result of his refusal to grant undue favours to certain social media operators.

Akerele made the disclosure during a radio interview on Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM’s programme, Bosenlo, where he accused individuals identified as Sheriffdeen Ojon and Objectv of persistently lobbying for the release of impounded motorcycles, popularly known as okada, and other vehicles seized for traffic violations, particularly for driving against traffic.

According to the Taskforce Chairman, the individuals resorted to threats and smear campaigns after their requests were denied. He described the attacks as a coordinated effort to discredit both his office and the agency.

He further revealed that he possesses evidence, including screenshots of Facebook conversations, which allegedly show requests for preferential treatment and subsequent threats of blackmail when those requests were not granted.

“It is both sad and embarrassing that individuals who should be using their social media platforms to disseminate meaningful and enlightening information to the public have instead turned them into tools for blackmail, intimidation, and the spread of falsehoods and half-truths,” Akerele said.

Reiterating the provisions of the Lagos State Road Traffic Law (2018), Akerele emphasized that vehicles caught driving against traffic are liable to outright forfeiture to the Lagos State Government. He noted that strict enforcement of the law is essential to curb the menace of one-way driving, which he said has resulted in avoidable accidents, loss of lives, and lasting trauma for victims and their families.

He urged the public to be cautious of information disseminated through unverified platforms, describing such content as misleading and questionable in intent.

Akerele, however, reaffirmed his commitment to enforcing traffic laws without fear or favour, assuring residents that neither he nor the Taskforce would be intimidated or distracted from their mandate of maintaining order and ensuring safety on Lagos roads.

ZAMFARA GOVERNOR PARTICIPATES IN COVENTRY UNIVERSITY’S STRATEGIC GOVERNANCE WORKSHOP 

Governor Dauda Lawal will attend a high-level workshop on strategic governance and resilience as part of his administration’s broader initiatives to improve Zamfara.

The workshop organised by the Centre for Resilient Business and Society is scheduled for March 30 and 31, 2026, at Coventry University in the United Kingdom.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the high-level workshop is supported under the United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) Institutional Support framework.

He added that the workshop also reflects a shared commitment to advancing research-driven solutions for governance, resilience, and societal development in institutions in Zamfara State.

The statement read in parts, “Governor Lawal is on Sunday set to travel to the United Kingdom for a two-day strategic governance workshop hosted by Coventry University.

“The workshop brings together global scholars, policymakers, and governance experts to explore methods for building resilient institutions and addressing societal challenges through research and data-driven solutions.

“Key sessions during the two-day workshop include Resilient Leadership in Dynamic and Resource-Limited Settings, Financial Resilience, Public Sector Innovation, Managing Change, and Ethical Data Use in Governance.

“Governor Lawal is joined by a high-ranking delegation that includes the Secretary to the State Government, key commissioners, special advisers, and the Executive Secretary of the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency (ZITDA).

“As part of the engagement, the governor and his team will hold an interactive session with postgraduate research (PGR) students on the theme: ‘The Role of Research in Policymaking: Driving Strategic and Resilient Governance – Lessons from the Six-Point Rescue Agenda.”

“The session will provide a platform for meaningful dialogue on how research can move beyond theory to shape policy decisions and deliver measurable impact, while drawing practical lessons from the implementation of Zamfara State’s Six-Point Rescue Agenda.

“Zamfara State’s participation highlights the government’s commitment to integrating research and data into governance. This approach supports the Six-Point Rescue Agenda, focusing on security, peacebuilding, agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and economic empowerment.”

SULAIMAN BALA IDRIS

Spokesperson for the Zamfara Governor

March 29, 2026

*NIGER EAST AND THE QUEST FOR SENATOR MUSA’S CONTINUITY*

By Suleiman Adamu

The people of Niger East Senatorial District have proverbially tasted the honey and its sweetness, and are most unwilling to let go of it. For so many who are used to sloganeering and emotive politics, the clamour for the continuity of Senator Sani Musa remains a surprise, but for those moved by tangible people-oriented programmes, it is not.

Indeed, it is no longer news that there is a serious quest for his return to the National Assembly. What is indeed news is the momentum and compelling clamour by the resilient constituents, who are unwilling to go back to the harrowing days of political false promises and sweet-talking.

Equally, the push for his continuity is associated with the several laudable projects and enduring people-focused programmes carried out by the radical leader and objective grassroots mobiliser. While over eighty-five percent of the constituents, cutting across all walks of life, have avowed their loyalty to him and are determined to ensure his return to continue his good works for humanity, even his traducers are agreed on the fact that his very rich and enduring legacies of developmental physical and social infrastructure, including several intentional advocacy initiatives, remain unbeatable, far-reaching, and valuable assets never before witnessed in the annals of the history of Niger East, and a sound testimony of the reasons he has to continue.

A purpose-driven advocate of social justice and governance inclusivity, Senator Sani remains an indomitable fulcrum and purpose initiator of people-based projects.

His sound and calculative strategic advocacy remains ageless, as it targets core areas of human existence, notably education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, and various stimulus programmes that remain exclusive, undeniable and capable of being tested empirically, with a periodic and intentionally targeted farmers’ support, coupled with a boost for small-scale businesses.

Senator Musa’s signature works all resonate with a man who has decided to uplift the living standard and general well-being of his people and the larger public. A highly focused and detribalised Nigerian, Senator Sani has indeed carved a niche for himself, demonstrating same in driving monumental and far-reaching developments all around his constituency, deliberately influencing policies, decisions, and programmes that underpin and holistically target his people, attracting immense benefits to the entire region.

Leadership to Senator Sani includes a clear understanding of the imperatives of strategic interest and partnership, and being able to harness same for national and subnational growth and development. Hence, he has invested time and other valuable resources in pragmatic and sustainable interpersonal and political relationships, engagements, and synergy using his clout and congruence.

These are attested to by the numerous developments witnessed within local communities and at the constituency level, and stimulating impact even on the contiguous communities. A reliable and trusted parliamentarian, Senator Musa remains among the first eleven in the Senate who know their onions and stand very tall amongst their constituents.

Through constant and responsive town hall meetings and interactive sessions, he is in touch with his people, from where he receives feedback and adjustment strategies. His political sagacity, coupled with a life of God-directed spirituality, has become his consistent stepping stone to progress and growth in life.

Through this lifestyle entrenched in intrinsic humility, he has been able to foster unity and cooperation amongst stakeholders, leading to a robust relationship which has consistently led to improvement in the life of his constituency and positive impact on the security of lives and properties. Senator Sani has variously championed the collective cause of the people of Niger East Senatorial District, utilising the wealth of his vast experience and resting on his larger-than-life influence, earning him an unrivalled reputation as a dedicated pragmatic transformational leader and establishing him as a competent leader with the capacity to get things done at the right time and in the right way.

A highly committed personality with a life devoted to the progress of humanity, Senator Musa’s life is positively rooted in ensuring that lives are improved, humanity is happy, and hope is constantly renewed, especially in the Niger East District. Accordingly, he has enhanced infrastructural development through the construction of several hundred kilometres of roads and bridges, brought about peaceful coexistence and interrelationship through the construction of community centres, enhanced access to health facilities through the provision and equipping of health centres and medical equipment, and the creation of health and security awareness.

Senator Sani has enhanced education through the establishment and construction of new primary and secondary schools, equipped with state-of-the-art educational materials and ICT equipment, and the training of youths in digital skills. A master driver of economic empowerment, Senator Sani is known for his consistent life of sacrifice and economic empowerment. Through this initiative, he has supported small-scale businesses, distributed food and non-food materials, and supported farmers with a focus on food security and availability, while enhancing the development and growth of sustainable entrepreneurship through loans, provision of scholarships, and targeted training of youths to meet the sustainable development goal programmes.

Indeed, his strategic peace initiatives have led to the relative peace and peaceful coexistence experienced in the Niger East Senatorial District, as he prioritises the promotion of peace, unity, and social solidarity and cohesion. Senator Musa Sani remains a strong and formidable force of social sustainability, ensuring the boosting and improvement of electricity supply in his constituency.

Senator Musa Sani’s many works of empathy and his devotion to his people make him a continuous choice of the people of Niger East Senatorial District and the reason for their clamour for his continuity.

*Adamu writes from Suleja