Taskforce set traps for environmental offenders via ‘See something, Say something’ initiative

The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce for Environmental Offences, CSP Adetayo Akerele, has inaugurated a new initiative, “See Something, Say Something” to nip crime in the bud.

The campaign launched on Tuesday is meant to serve as a feedback mechanism through which members of the public can reach out to the Agency to report and update the team on happenings and incidents of concern that might have been observed in their vicinities.

A statement by the task force spokesman, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said, “Akerele adopted this mechanism as a form of two-way communication tool through which anyone can reach out to the Lagos State Taskforce on issues bordering within the scope of operation of the Agency.”

Speaking on the initiative, Akerele was quoted as saying, “I belong to the school of thought which states that communication is a two way thing – the encoder and the decoder. The task of stamping out illegalities such as environmental degradation, black spots, okada riders operating illegally, street trading, driving against traffic (one-way), causing obstruction on the highway, blockage of streets and roads for social events and so on can only be achieved through whistle blowing mechanisms such as this. We can act when we get tip offs from members of the public through this initiative”.

Akerele, who assumed office last week said he would achieve his set out goals through the collective effort of every stakeholder in the Metropolis.

“The internet and social media has made whistle blowing quite easy these days. You can send messages, pictures or videos of any illegal activities within your area to our social media handles and I assure you that you will be reached to within the shortest possible time. Your identity will remain confidential for safety reasons but I assure you that we will act upon it once we conclude our investigations”.

The chairman further urged personnel of the Agency to carry out their duties with utmost professionalism and decorum.

He said, “There will be no sacred cows in this era and therefore urge you all to carry out your assigned duties with a human face. We are all being watched and if anyone is caught carrying out any illegal activity, he will be sanctioned according to the rule of engagement.”

“The social media handles of the Agency are as follows

“Twitter: @Taskforce112; Facebook: Lagos State Taskforce; Instagram: @Taskforce112; Email: lagosstatetaskforce@gmail.com; Phone: 08089705008

“I urge all residents to embrace these channels and inform us of any suspicious or glaring illegality going on around the vicinity and I promise it will be looked into with the required swiftness. Attaining a safe serene and habitable environment is a collective responsibility of you and me”, Akerele said.