The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has arrested a 40-year-old man, Sunday Otu, for impersonation, forgery, and fraud.

Otu, who lives at Agboyi Road, Ketu, was apprehended after he defrauded a motorist, Sunday Daniel (aka Daniel Jackson), of ₦60,000 with the promise of securing the release of his seized vehicle.

Daniel, who had earlier been caught for driving against traffic, was approached by Otu, who posed as a Taskforce official. The suspect assured him that he could get his vehicle released through his “connections” at the cost of ₦90,000. The victim paid an initial ₦60,000, with a balance to be settled after a release order was issued.

Investigations revealed that Otu forged the Taskforce release order himself and lured the victim to the Agency’s car park in Alausa, where operatives arrested him.

Upon interrogation, it was discovered that Otu had been involved in similar fraudulent cases in the past. Items recovered from him included forged release order booklets, staplers, a green biro, and vehicle registration numbers. He also confessed to working with an accomplice identified as Afix, who is currently at large.

Reacting to the arrest, Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, warned Lagos residents against patronising touts or middlemen who disguise as Taskforce officers. He stressed that the agency would continue to clamp down on fraudsters tarnishing its image.