CITIZENS COMPASS– The Lagos State #The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offenses (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce), on Sunday, said it has arrested 124 suspects during a raid of several notorious black spots known for illegal drug peddling, hooliganism, miscreants,street trading in some parts of the State.
Affected areas included Amikanle Market, NerdC Street by African Shrine in Agidingbi area of Ikeja which had been converted to trading pavilion on hard drug markets, restaurants, beer parlour by road side thereby causing serious human and vehicular traffic obstructions and serious environmental nuisance in the areas.
The night raid which was led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele took place at dusk which usually the period when the illegal drug peddlers and street traders erect make shift shops and place barricades which occupy parts of the road and cause traffic impediments to vehicles trying to access those roads.
Their activities have also been noticed to seriously flout laid down environmental laws of the State through indiscriminate and unguided use of drugs, disposal of waste materials into the gutters, environmental nuisance which are likely to cause breach of peace in the Metropolis.
CSP Akerele described the raids which will be a continuous exercise as a step made in the interest of the general public who have longed for solutions to the menace of these suspected drug addict, peddlers, street traders which also encourages criminality in the area Some of these locations serves as safe haven for criminals and they enjoy the proceeds of their criminal activities there.
“The activities of these suspected criminals at Amikanle area of Agbado, Jobi fele Road by African.Shrine and NerdC street, especially at night is dangerous to humanity at all levels.
They sell drugs indiscriminately there which is counter-productive to the society and they also contribute immensely to traffic build-up on adjoining roads at night when workers who have spent all day at work still shave to spend hours to get home. It is unfair to residents of this area and we will ensure that it is completely stamp out.”
Akerele reiterated the stand of Lagos State Government and the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fayoade Adegoke who assured that all hands must be on deck to ensure that all notorious black spots known for high level criminalities in the state becomes a thing of the past. He disclosed that the Agency is Working hard to ensure that the environment is preserved as prescribed in line with the THEMES PLUS agenda of the State Government.
The Chairman appealed to all other criminally minded individuals or groups to relocate from the state or face the wrath of the laws. He assured them that the Agency will comb every nook and cranny of the State where activities of men of the underworld have impeded the serenity and orderliness of the environment in the state.
He urged residents who have useful tips concerning black spots, illicit trading on hard drugs or any other useful information on environmental infractions to contact the Agency through the social media handles or come forth with them to the Headquarters of the Agency at Bolade
“Consequently, a total of 124 suspects arrested were carefully screened and those with genuine business were allowed to go while others will be charged to court.”
He said the raid was in the interest of environmental serenity, safety, sanity and maintenance of Lagos State’s Mega City status.
