PRESS STATEMENT
CDWR CALLS FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF BABATUNDE AJADI’S POWER BIKE
On Saturday August 16, 2025, armed policemen and thugs attached to the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Unit illegally seized a power bike belonging to Mr Babatunde Ajadi. Sadly, it has not been released to him more than seven months after and still counting.
According to Mr Babtunde and his friends who were at the scene, the Task Force civilian thugs attacked him before the police officers joined in the brutality leading to injuries inflicted on Mr Babatunde. Though the power bike in question is a Suzuki Skywave 250cc and is eligible to be on any road including highways. After the seizure, thugs attached to the Task Force demanded N50,000 before it would be released and because Mr Babatunde could not cough out the bribe, his power bike was seized. We cannot rule out that it has been sold criminally by CSP Adetayo Akerele led Task Force.
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) approached the Task Force office at Bolade Oshodi through a petition dated August 18, 2026 and addressed to the Chairman of Task Force. One Inspector Michael with this phone number (07085178455) contacted us and claimed that the matter was under investigation. However, till today, we have not got the outcome of the said investigation and neither has the power bike been accounted for. The Lagos State Chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also wrote a letter to CSP Adetayo Akerele requesting the release of the power bike and it was ignored. It is the believe of Babatunde that his power bike with registration plate number DKA–510 QC has been sold and the money pocketed by CSP Adetayo Akerele and his gang. This power bike was the means of transportation and livelihood of Mr Babatunde as it was being used to move about his daily legitimate business.
It is shocking that in a civilian administration, a so-called police tactical/special unit (Lagos Task Force) will be so brazen to seize/impound motor bikes, power bikes, buses, cars, truck over traffic offence, sell them and share the proceeds without going through courts wherein the accused will have the democratic right of defending themselves. CSP Adetayo Akerele is so brazen to the extent that he brags that he is not under police scrutiny but under the authority of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu. It is also shocking that Sanwo-Olu or the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood failed to call CSP Adetayo Akerele to order despite numerous complaints over human rights violations and extortion.
The activities of the police officers and thugs attached to the Task Force are characterised by infringement of democratic rights of people, particularly motorists and transport operators, brutalisation of innocent people and seizure of automobile, extortion, harassment and attacks on livelihood of people in Lagos State. There are reports of these same task force thugs and police officers getting involved in land grabbing activities, demolitions of property etc. In fact, the Task Force policemen and their civilian thugs have become terror in Lagos State.
CDWR is calling on the Acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu to investigate this matter and other cases of infractions with the aim of releasing the Power Bike and righting all the wrongs. CDWR wants to know what has happened to the Power Bike with the plate number DKA –510 QC. We also call for the sacking and prosecution of CSP Adetayo Akerele after a public and transparent probe/investigation if found wanting.
SIGNED:
Comrade Rufus Olusesan Comrade Chinedu Bosah
National Chairperson National Publicity Secretary