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| Lagos State Taskforce chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele. File photograph. |
Three men arrested during a Lagos State Taskforce operation in Cele, Itire and Ilasamaja have pleaded not guilty to charges involving alleged drug trading and public disturbances.
The agency identified the defendants as Bello Musa, 18; Abubakar Musa, 27; and Agboola Fuad, 24. It said their case had been adjourned until 9 December 2026 for further proceedings.
The taskforce disclosed the arrests and arraignment in a statement issued on Thursday, 12 November, by its Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, according to The Whistler.
According to the statement, the three counts concern possession and sale of illicit drugs, inciting members of the public against officers carrying out lawful duties, and conduct likely to breach the peace.
The agency gave the addresses of Bello Musa and Abubakar Musa as No. 23, Adebayo Street, Cele-Ijesha, while Fuad resides at No. 4, Sewage Street, Abaranje, Ijegun.
Taskforce chairman, Chief Superintendent of Police Adetayo Akerele, supervised the early-morning operation. Officers visited locations the agency had identified as centres of suspected drug trading and public disorder.
The taskforce alleged that the defendants sold and distributed substances it described as marijuana, Colorado and Indian hemp around Cele Bus Stop, Itire and Ilasamaja. It said the alleged buyers included adults and underage persons.
The statement also attributed recurring street fights, youth violence and cult-related disturbances in the affected neighbourhoods to illicit drug activities. Those claims form part of the agency’s account of the operation.
Speaking at Itire, Akerele thanked a whistleblower and residents who supplied information and cooperated with officers. He said information received promptly from communities helped enforcement agencies identify locations requiring intervention.
He urged residents to report suspicious activities and maintain communication with security personnel, describing public participation as important to efforts to improve neighbourhood safety.
At the taskforce headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, Akerele also cautioned young people against drug-related activities, street violence and cultism. He said involvement in such activities could damage their prospects and disrupt community life.
The chairman said the taskforce would continue enforcement operations against suspected drug trading, environmental nuisances and other offences, working with relevant security and regulatory agencies. He added that the agency would pursue legal action against people found to have violated applicable laws.