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Tag: Lagos taskforce

  • Lagos taskforce cracks down on street trading

    Lagos taskforce cracks down on street trading

    The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) conducted an enforcement operation on Lagos Island on Friday to curb street trading and illegal shop extensions.

    Taskforce Chairman, Mr Adetayo Akerele, in a statement, said the operation was part of a clean-up exercise to remove street trading, unauthorised displays, road blockages, and other environmental offences.

    The enforcement covered Marina, Davies Street, Breadfruit Street, and surrounding areas, targeting traders causing obstructions and environmental nuisance along key roadways.

    “Traders were found displaying goods on highways, roadways, and walkways, obstructing free movement along the Lagos Marina Expressway,” Akerele said.

    He expressed concern over persistent disregard for environmental and traffic regulations by some traders, urging compliance for public safety.

    “Traders had blocked the entrance of St. Paul Primary School, making access difficult for pupils and staff,” he added.

    During the operation, all illegally displayed goods on Davies and Breadfruit Streets were confiscated, restoring order and normalcy in the affected areas.

    “Davies Street, once a vibrant social hub, had deteriorated due to street traders and illegal stalls obstructing roads and walkways,” Akerele explained.

    The agency also cleared Iyana-Ipaja Underbridge of unauthorised stalls, easing movement for motorists, commuters, and pedestrians.

    All confiscated goods will be forfeited to the Lagos State Government under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.

    Akerele warned traders against obstructing highways and road corridors, stressing that violations increase travel time and attract strict enforcement.

    He urged street traders and illegal occupants to desist from such acts or face the full weight of the law.

    (NAN)

  • Lagos taskforce arrests woman, six others over illegal sale of immunity stickers

    Lagos taskforce arrests woman, six others over illegal sale of immunity stickers

    The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested a woman and uncovered a syndicate allegedly involved in the illegal sale of so-called “immunity stickers” to motorists, used to evade arrest and sanctions for traffic violations across the state.

    The suspect, identified as Alimat Yusuf Idowu, also known as Asabi Alagbo, was apprehended alongside one Ola, Sanjay, Aliu, and other accomplices who are currently at large.

    The arrests were carried out across several strategic locations, including Oshodi, Isolo, Mushin, Apapa, Mile 2, Apapa Expressway, Iyana-Ipaja, Abule-Egba, Ile-Epo, and other parts of the State to track down their agents and distribution channels.

    According to the Taskforce spokesperson, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects specialised in producing and distributing various branded stickers falsely presented as legitimate authorisations that shielded commercial and unpainted vehicles, popularly known as “kabukabu,” from enforcement by law-enforcement agencies.

    Further findings showed that the stickers carried names and logos of transport union–related brands, unauthorised local government stickers, unregistered transport association emblems, as well as fake enforcement and compliance stickers produced by private individuals and tout syndicates.

    These stickers, the Taskforce said, had no legal backing and were deliberately used to mislead drivers into believing they conferred immunity from arrest.

    Investigators also established that operators of the illegal scheme collected unlawful weekly or monthly fees ranging from ₦15,000 to ₦20,000 per vehicle, promising continuous protection from arrest for traffic violations.

    Read Also: Lagos Taskforce raids BRT corridors, impounds 28 vehicles, 14 okada

    Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the arrests demonstrated the agency’s determination to dismantle all forms of criminal activity brought to its attention by members of the public.

    “This illegal sticker system with inscriptions such as Fire (Ina), Olamoney, Sanjay Omo Oga, Dman, 100% 23–24, Psalm 72, among others, has operated for far too long. We are determined to arrest and prosecute anyone who extorts commercial vehicle operators or claims to shield them from enforcement for violating traffic regulations,” Akerele said.

    He warned that any commercial vehicle found displaying such illegal or unauthorised stickers would be arrested and required to explain their source and purpose.

    “No individual, group, or association has the authority to issue stickers that confer immunity from traffic laws. Any vehicle found with these illegal stickers will be arrested and investigated,” he added.

    Akerele noted that the enforcement exercise forms part of a broader strategy to restore order on Lagos roads and protect transport operators from intimidation, extortion, and exploitation by touts.

    “It is part of our statutory responsibility to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in the illegal issuance of fines, tickets, or unlawful levies within the metropolis. Everyone involved in this illicit practice will be brought to book,” he said.

    The Taskforce urged vehicle owners and drivers to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, assuring the public that investigations are ongoing and that more arrests will be made.

    The arrested suspect has been charged to court and pleaded not guilty. She was granted bail but remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of her bail conditions. The case has been adjourned until March 24, 2026.

  • Lagos Taskforce raids BRT corridors, impounds 28 vehicles, 14 okada

    Lagos Taskforce raids BRT corridors, impounds 28 vehicles, 14 okada

    The Lagos State Taskforce has impounded 28 vehicles and 14 commercial motorcycles during an enforcement operation aimed at curbing traffic violations and restoring order along designated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors across the state.

    The Taskforce spokesperson, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said the operation was carried out in response to rising cases of lawlessness and persistent abuse of BRT lanes, targeting commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders) and private vehicle owners who unlawfully ply restricted routes, thereby endangering pedestrians and commuters.

    Speaking after the exercise, the chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the raid became necessary following complaints from residents about unsafe practices along the BRT corridors.

    He warned that allowing such violations to continue unchecked could escalate into a major security and safety threat.

    Read Also: Lagos taskforce impounds 134 motorcycles, vows crackdown on restricted routes

    According to him, the enforcement drive was part of the government’s broader efforts to ensure compliance with traffic regulations and eliminate avoidable accidents, injuries, and loss of lives associated with illegal use of BRT lanes.

    The operation covered key areas along the Lagos–Abeokuta axis, including Oshodi, Ikeja Along, Ladipo Bus Stop, Mangoro, Adealu, Iyana-Ipaja Underbridge, Ile-Epo Bus Stop, Super Bus Stop, and Abule-Egba. Several okada operators were apprehended for plying prohibited routes, obstructing BRT bus movement, and causing public nuisance.

    In a related development, the Taskforce also arrested six suspected street urchins, locally referred to as “Omotaku,” around Dolphin Estate Road and Falomo Bridge. The suspects have since been charged to court.

    CSP Akerele disclosed that all impounded vehicles would be prosecuted, while the confiscated motorcycles would be forfeited to the state in line with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.

    He reaffirmed the Task Force’s commitment to sustaining enforcement operations until full compliance with traffic laws is achieved across Lagos State.

  • Lagos Taskforce clarifies Okada enforcement procedures

    Lagos Taskforce clarifies Okada enforcement procedures

    The Lagos State Taskforce has clarified its enforcement procedures on commercial motorcycle (okada) operations, reaffirming its commitment to public safety, integrity and the rule of law.

    The agency, in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, expressed concern over what it described as misleading and unsubstantiated claims circulating on social media regarding its enforcement activities, including allegations of extortion, illegal sale of seized motorcycles, use of unauthorised persons, abuse of force and compromise of leadership integrity.

    According to the statement, commercial motorcycles are apprehended only after due process through the Mobile Court for violations of the Lagos State Road Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018, particularly for operating on routes prohibited by the state government.

    It explained that all seized motorcycles are transferred to the Ministry of Transportation and subsequently crushed at the government-approved junk yard in Alausa, stressing that seized motorcycles are never sold back to operators or diverted for personal gain. 

    Read Also: Lagos Taskforce arrests 32 street urchins over highway nuisance

    The agency added that this policy has contributed to a significant reduction in illegal okada operations across the state. It, however, noted that seized vehicles, unlike motorcycles, are auctioned by the state government through court-approved and transparent processes.

    Abdulraheem further clarified that it does not engage civilian touts, noting that its paramilitary operatives may operate in plain clothes as part of intelligence-led operations, a standard practice in law enforcement. It stated that all officers involved in enforcement are trained personnel operating within approved frameworks.

    The agency observed that enforcement against illegal okada operators often poses serious risks due to aggressive resistance and the danger to passengers, officers and other road users, adding that operations are therefore conducted with tact and safety as a priority.

    It also disclosed that intelligence reports have shown that many operators apprehended in restricted areas are non-Nigerians without proper documentation, noting that criminal elements sometimes exploit the okada business to evade scrutiny and perpetrate unlawful activities. According to the Taskforce, this makes illegal okada operations a broader public safety and security concern beyond traffic management.

    The statement reaffirmed confidence in the leadership of the Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, describing him as a disciplined and highly respected officer with a strong record of professionalism and integrity. It dismissed allegations of personal enrichment or complicity in unlawful practices as baseless and unfounded.

    On the use of tear gas, the Taskforce said it remains a globally accepted crowd-control measure deployed by trained and authorised personnel under strict guidelines to prevent escalation and protect lives.

    The agency urged members of the public to verify information through official channels before sharing unverified claims on social media, stressing its unwavering commitment to ensuring a safe, orderly and secure environment for residents of the state.

  • Lagos Taskforce arrests 281 suspected street urchins

    Lagos Taskforce arrests 281 suspected street urchins

    The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested no fewer than 281 suspected street urchins, popularly known as Omotaku, during a week-long enforcement operation aimed at ridding the state of criminal elements and ensuring the safety of motorists.

    Chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the operation was part of the Task Force’s commitment to rid Lagos of miscreants who harass road users and extort money from motorists, particularly when vehicles develop mechanical faults on highways.

    Akerele explained that the Taskforce had taken proactive steps to suppress the activities of Omotaku across the metropolis to ensure a safe, serene, and secure environment for residents.

    He disclosed that within the last one week — from Thursday through the weekend up to Wednesday, January 14, 2026 — operatives of the Taskforce arrested several suspects during sustained enforcement raids carried out on major roads and highways across the state.

    Read Also: Lagos Taskforce arrests 32 street urchins over highway nuisance

    Areas covered during the week-long operation included Bourdillon, Lekki Phase 1, Ikoyi, Lekki–Ajah Expressway, Animashaun Bus Stop, Akowonjo Road, Egbeda, Fadeyi Bus Stop, Costain, Funsho Williams Avenue, Victoria Island, Apongbon, Jibowu, Yaba, Lagos Island, Palmgrove, Ojuelegba Road, Surulere, and other adjoining areas on both the Island and Mainland.

    According to Akerele, all the 281 suspects arrested during the exercise have been arraigned in court. He assured residents that the menace of Omotaku would soon be eliminated in Lagos.

    The Taskforce chairman urged Lagosians, especially motorists, to promptly report cases of harassment or nuisance by street urchins to the agency for swift intervention.

    Akerele also warned individuals engaged in criminal activities to desist, stressing that crime is not a career.

  • Lagos Taskforce arrests 32 street urchins over highway nuisance

    Lagos Taskforce arrests 32 street urchins over highway nuisance

    The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested 32 street urchins, popularly known as ‘Omotaku,’ for allegedly constituting public nuisance and obstructing traffic on major highways across the state.

    The suspects were apprehended on Tuesday during a coordinated clean-up and enforcement operation carried out across the Island and Mainland areas of Lagos, following repeated complaints by residents through social media platforms and radio stations.

    Areas covered during the operation included Apongbon, Fadeyi, Jibowu, Yaba Phase 1, Lagos Island, Palmgrove, Ojuelegba, and Surulere, among other adjoining roads.

    According to the Taskforce, the suspects were caught unlawfully stopping articulated vehicles such as petroleum tankers, trucks, trailers, and private cars, thereby posing serious safety risks to motorists and other road users.

    Read Also: Oshodi mob attack: Policeman was on lawful duty, says Lagos Taskforce

    Some of the arrested persons were also found to be smoking substances suspected to be hard drugs and Indian hemp.

    Speaking after the operation, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the agency would not relent in its efforts to ensure safety and orderliness across the state.

    He stressed that the Taskforce would continue to comb all parts of Lagos to rid the roads of criminal elements and restore sanity to public spaces.

    Akerele added that the operation successfully brought relief to all the areas visited.

    The suspects, he said, have been charged in court for offences bordering on public nuisance, illegal road obstruction, and violations of the Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 and the Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.

  • Taskforce arrest 18,000 suspects in one year

    Taskforce arrest 18,000 suspects in one year

    Over 18,000 suspects have been arrested, 1,019 vehicles  and 16,600 commercial motorcycles seized, and  several criminal hideouts cleared by the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce) in the last one year.

    Taskforce Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele revealed this at a media parley yesterday while reeling out the agency’s scorecard under his watch.

    According to Akerele, the agency has been able to enforce the government’s drive for a cleaner Lagos by dismantling illegal shanties and other structures that constituted environmental nuisance.

    According to Akerele, the achievements were the result of renewed collaboration, proactive strategies, and intelligence-led enforcement, all executed with a strong sense of professionalism and public engagement.

    Read Also: Lagos taskforce cracks down on criminal hideouts, arrests 277 in statewide raid

    “Between June 2024 and June 2025, we arrested 14,087 suspects across notorious black spots such as Oshodi, Mushin, Iju-Ishaga Railway, Lagos Island, Obalende, and Marina.

    “Out of these, 1,287 were released after proper screening while 12,999 were arraigned. This has led to a significant reduction in criminal activities in these locations,” he said.

  • Lagos taskforce raids black spots in Gowon estate, arrests 19 suspects for drug offences

    Lagos taskforce raids black spots in Gowon estate, arrests 19 suspects for drug offences

    In a determined effort to curb criminal activity and restore public order, the Lagos State Taskforce has raided several notorious black spots around Gowon Estate and its environs, arresting 19 suspects allegedly involved in drug peddling and related offences.

    The early morning raid, conducted today, led to the discovery of a large cache of illicit drugs, including Colorado, Indian hemp, narcotics, and other banned substances. Many of the items were found hidden in the boots of abandoned vehicles parked along the streets.

    Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, described the operation as part of the agency’s unwavering commitment to eradicating illegal drug activities and safeguarding residents.

    Read Also: Lagos taskforce cracks down on criminal hideouts, arrests 277 in statewide raid

    “This operation reflects our zero-tolerance policy against illegal activities that threaten the peace and security of the state. All suspects will face the full weight of the law as investigations are ongoing,” Akerele said.

    He also urged members of the public to utilise the government’s ‘See Something, Say Something’ initiative to report suspicious or unlawful behaviour in their communities.

    This latest raid is the fifth in a series of targeted enforcement operations by the Taskforce in recent months. It forms part of a wider crackdown on criminal networks and efforts to sanitise public spaces across Lagos.

    The Taskforce reiterated its resolve to maintain law and order, warning that similar raids will continue until all illicit activities are eradicated. It also appealed for continued public cooperation in the push for a crime-free and drug-free Lagos.

  • Lagos taskforce cracks down on criminal hideouts, arrests 277 in statewide raid

    Lagos taskforce cracks down on criminal hideouts, arrests 277 in statewide raid

    In a sweeping operation aimed at tackling crime and enforcing environmental regulations, the Lagos State Taskforce has arrested 277 suspects across the state following a week-long crackdown.

    The operation, led by Taskforce Chairman CSP Adetayo Akerele, focused on notorious black spots and illegal settlements identified through intelligence reports and public complaints.

    Raids began around 1:30 a.m. daily and covered strategic locations on both the Island and Mainland, including Victoria Island, Osborne Road, Chevron axis, Lekki Roundabouts, Obalende, Ikota, Ikoyi, Falomo Bridge, Law School, Eko Hotel area, Oniru Beach, and railway corridors in Agege, Ketu’s Isale Oja, and AP Roundabout.

    CSP Akerele explained that the coordinated enforcement is part of a broader effort to reclaim areas overtaken by street urchins, pickpockets, and other criminal elements, and to restore law and order across Lagos.

    Read Also: UNA-Nigeria inducts new members for Abuja branch

    “These suspects have been disturbing the peace of law-abiding citizens and threatening public safety. With this operation, we’ve not only restored order but sent a clear message that criminality will not be tolerated in Lagos State,” Akerele stated.

    He further noted that all 277 suspects have been charged to court under existing laws of the state government. The agency, he emphasized, would sustain the momentum through regular, targeted enforcement operations in known trouble zones.

    “We are committed to ensuring that Lagos remains a safe and livable city. Anyone who chooses to break the law must be ready to face the consequences,” the Chairman warned.

  • Lagos taskforce arrests 41 suspects in Island raid on criminal hideouts

    Lagos taskforce arrests 41 suspects in Island raid on criminal hideouts

    The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested 41 suspects during a coordinated clean-up and enforcement operation across multiple locations on Lagos Island in the early hours of Tuesday.

    In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the operation began around 1:00 a.m, saying that the targeted areas known for criminal activity, including Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Falomo, Osborne Road, the Eko Hotel axis, Lekki Road, and Obalende.

    The raid was part of the state government’s ongoing clean-up enforcement campaign aimed at flushing out miscreants, street urchins, hooligans, pickpockets, and other suspected criminals from the metropolis.

    Read Also: Lagos Taskforce impounds 139 Okada in renewed crackdown on banned routes

    “During the raid exercise, a total number of 41 suspects were arrested and sanity was restored,” the statement said.

    The suspects are expected to be prosecuted in accordance with the law.