Federal Task Force Clash With Lagos Task Force: 180 Arrested

The brawl between two Nigerian Task Forces sparked today over an arrested motorist at tollgate area of Lagos, southwest Nigeria.

Federal Task Force officials arrested this morning in Lagos



Federal Task Force officials arrested this morning in Lagos

The incident was preceded by the arrest of a Sienna Space bus' driver, Timothy Uko from Delta State, plying the bus rapid transit lane, BRT, around Ketu area. The vehicle was taken by police to Alausa through the Tollgate when the clash started.

At least 180 men of the Federal Task Force attacked officials of the Lagos State Task Force on Environment trying to get the vehicle back. During the fight they used planks, bottles and other stuff attempting to injure as much as they can.

Over time a reinforcement of policemen armed with guns stormed the Federal Task Force office with a Black Maria van. Immediately they met with resistance as 'Feds' attacked the team led by Chairman of the Task Force, Bayo Sulaiman, a Chief Superintendent of Police with bottles and stones.

As a countermeasure the Lagos State Task Force officials sparyed tear gas which stopped for a while raging the Federal Task Force men. One of them lost consciousness and was sent to LASUTH for treatment while others were arrested and taken to Alausa.

Bayo Sulaiman said: “They beat up our men and held our men hostage. We will not allow them to take over our function and we arrested over 100 of them. If we allow this to go unchecked, it will be worse next time.”

Explaining the situation the driver of the Sienna Space bus said that he parked close to the Federal Task Force office in order not to create traffic jam and to deal with the policemen who arrested him. He was also arrested and would be arraigned in court with others.