The Lagos State Taskforce today rescued officials of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and its sister Agency, Lagos State Physical Planning Permits Authority who were on joint routine monitoring and enforcement for compliance activities on structural stability of buildings around Ajao Estate axis of the State, when the owner of an illegal filling station under construction mobilized thugs and miscreants to prevent them from carrying out their official assignment.
The incident occurred at about 12:30pm along Robinson Gbadu Street where the said filling station was constructed without permit or approval by the State Government by one Mr Maroof Owonla popularly known as ‘Kaka’.
The officials of the State Government made frantic efforts to halt the on going illegal construction but were attacked by thugs and street urchins stationed around the location.
The assault which led to the damage of four official vehicles belonging to the two Agencies also inflicted serious bodily injuries on six officials including the security details attached to the team to carry out the assignment.
Mobile phones, cameras and personal belongings of the State officials were seized by the miscreants and the site workers during the attack.
After receiving distress calls from members of the public and other officials of the two Agencies, operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce swung into action and moved to the location to rescue and prevent any further break down of Law and order.
The said Maroof and some Armed thugs who were involved in the fracas tried to carry on with their unlawful act but were subdued and arrested by the Taskforce operatives for questioning.
Speaking on the incident at the Headquarters of the Taskforce in Oshodi, The Chairman, CSP Shola Jejeloye said that the unlawful act and high-handedness such as assault on Government officials, preventing officials from carrying out their lawful duties and sabotage will not be tolerated.
He further noted that the incident which occurred in Ajao Estate could have been easily avoided if the owner of the ongoing filling station who mobilized the thugs and miscreants in the vicinity had towed the line of best practices before registering his grievances.
"Officials of the State Government were carrying out their lawful duty but were attacked by the aggrieved owner of the said property.
"That is not acceptable anywhere in the world and we will make sure everyone involved will be brought to book. The Government spends millions of Naira acquiring these vehicles which were vandalised by these thugs" Jejeloye stated.
All injured officials of the two Agencies have been taken to the Clinic for first aid treatment while those with severe injuries have been taken to the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) for adequate medical attention.
In a related development, A suspected fake Soldier, one Idris Lukman, has been apprehended by the operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce.
The suspected impostor, 33, was arrested along Palmgrove/Onipanu area of Lagos while operating a commercial Bus, popularly known as ‘Danfo’.
The suspect parked at illegal Bus Stops to pick up and drop off passengers before being accosted by the operatives of the Agency for obstructing traffic along that route.
He claimed to be a soldier and pulled out a fake ID card which was identified immediately by the officers to be fake. He was taken to the Headquarters of the Agency for further questioning.
CSP Shola Jejeloye urged Lagosians to continue to be law abiding and think twice before taking any rash decisions to avoid breach of peace, bodily harm and damage to property that is regrettable.
He warned all those impostors parading themselves as serving uniform personnel to desist from doing so henceforth or be arrested and prosecuted via a court of competent jurisdiction.
The owner of the ongoing illegal filling station and impostor have been charged to court accordingly. The former has been granted bail but has not yet met his bail conditions thus he has been remanded in Badagry Correctional Facility till the bail conditions are met.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned till 20th April, 2022.
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