Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, popularly known as the Taskforce, has impounded 309 commercial motorcycles operating on restricted routes during a major enforcement exercise along the ECOWAS Road corridor and the Lagos-Badagry Expressway. The operation, which took place over the weekend, also led to the demolition of illegal structures, including shanties, makeshift shops, kiosks and street trading stalls identified as traffic and environmental nuisances. The crackdown forms part of the Lagos State Government's ongoing efforts to strengthen the state's security architecture by eliminating locations that could serve as hideouts for criminal elements operating under the guise of illegal commercial activities.
The exercise, carried out in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and with support from the Lagos State Police Command, covered several strategic locations, including Orile-Iganmu Bus Stop, Suuru-Alaba Bus Stop, Mile 2 Underbridge, Mazamaza Bus Stop, Festac First Gate, Iyana-Ira, Abule-Ado, Alakija Bus Stop, Iyana-Iba, Alaba Rago, Old Ojo Road and Okoko Bus Stop. At the conclusion of the operation, 309 commercial motorcycles were impounded for violating the state's transport regulations. Beyond the motorcycle crackdown, officials dismantled illegal kiosks, makeshift stalls, shanties and unauthorised wooden structures, while clearing abandoned household items, stray domestic animals, indiscriminately displayed building materials and other obstructions encroaching on public spaces.
Speaking after the exercise, Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Adetayo Akerele, described the level of illegal activities and indiscriminate development along the corridor as alarming. He said the operation was aimed at restoring order, improving traffic flow and ensuring environmental compliance in the affected areas. Akerele noted that illegal ticketing, street trading and the activities of recalcitrant commercial motorcycle operators had contributed to criminality, traffic congestion and environmental degradation. He reaffirmed the agency's commitment to sustaining enforcement operations across the state until full compliance with existing laws is achieved. "No stone will be left unturned in our determination to restore sanity. It is high time criminal elements operating in Lagos State desist from these unlawful activities or relocate. We will continue to enforce the law without fear or favour to guarantee a safer, cleaner and more orderly Lagos for all residents," Akerele declared.
The operation also aligns with the state government's THEMES Plus Agenda and complements ongoing security initiatives by the Lagos State Police Command aimed at combating kidnapping, banditry and other criminal activities. The agency's spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, disclosed that all impounded motorcycles would be processed for forfeiture to the Lagos State Government through the courts in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018. He stressed that similar enforcement exercises would continue across the state until full compliance with existing regulations is achieved. State authorities have consistently maintained that the restriction on commercial motorcycles operating on designated highways and other prohibited routes is intended to improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion and curb crimes linked to motorcycle operations on restricted roads.
The enforcement drive comes amid heightened security concerns in Lagos, where criminal elements have increasingly exploited illegal commercial activities and unregulated structures to evade detection. The Taskforce's latest operation represents a significant step in the government's broader strategy to reclaim public spaces, enhance environmental sanitation and deny criminals the opportunity to operate under the guise of commercial activities.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments