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The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed claims circulating on social media alleging that its officers were arresting and extorting dispatch riders operating along the newly constructed coastal road in Lagos.
The clarification followed a viral post by an online platform which alleged that police officers were arresting riders, seizing their motorcycles and demanding sums as high as ₦200,000. The post further claimed that a Police Public Relations Officer questioned who authorised the road for motorcycle use.
Reacting to the report, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, through a statement shared by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the claims were misleading and inaccurately attributed.
According to the police, the individual referenced in the viral post was not speaking on behalf of the Lagos State Police Command, nor did the statement originate from the office of the Police Public Relations Officer.
SP Adebisi explained that the agency involved in the interaction referenced online operates under the Lagos State Government and maintains its own Public Relations Department, separate from the Police Command.
“Contrary to the claim in the referenced post, the originator was not referring to and did not mention the Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command,” the statement read.
The police warned that the spread of unverified and misleading information could create unnecessary tension and undermine public trust in law enforcement agencies.
“The spread of misinformation only causes more harm than good. In this era, we can and must do better,” the Command stated.
While addressing the allegation, the police did not confirm any policy changes regarding the use of the coastal road by dispatch riders but emphasised the importance of relying on verified information from official sources.
The Lagos State Police Command urged members of the public, particularly social media users and online platforms, to verify claims before publication to avoid misrepresentation and public confusion.
The Command reiterated its commitment to professionalism, accountability and the protection of the rights of all road users across the state.
Lagos Police react to allegations of extortion on Lagos-Calabar coastal road
