No fewer than 14 persons arrested on Friday by the Oyo state government for operating illegal shanties and engaging in the unauthorized sale of diesel along the Ibadan axis of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The arrest was confirmed by the Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd) who led the state’s special taskforce during the clearing operation.
Speaking during the parade of the suspects, Odukoya explained alleged that, beyond selling adulterated diesel, the individuals were also involved in various illicit activities in the area.
He said that the suspects would be prosecuted in a mobile court under the supervision of the Rule of Law Agency.
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According to him, the state government had issued several notices to the shanty operators, warning them to vacate the location prior to the enforcement action.
Odukoya said: “We gave them ample time to leave voluntarily, but they chose to ignore the directive.
“This operation is ongoing, and we will not stop until the expressway is completely free of illegal structures.”
One of the suspects, Bolaji Mustapha, confessed to participating in the illegal diesel trade but claimed he was unaware of any prior warnings from the government.
The clearance operation is part of the state government’s broader efforts to improve safety, curb environmental hazards, and ensure law and order along critical transportation routes.
