CITIZENS COMPASS– The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offenses (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce), has arrested 44 street traders and vendours during a recent raid at Mile 2 Oke Bridge.
The traders and vendours have illegally occupied the bridge before the enforcement operation led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, was carried out to address persistent complaints from motorists and commuters regarding obstruction, traffic congestion, and environmental hazards caused by these illegal activities.
The suspects were apprehended for violating the state’s environmental and traffic laws against illegal trading in the highways and will be duly prosecuted.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman reiterated the agency’s commitment to restoring order in public spaces. “Despite repeated warnings and enforcement exercises, some individuals continue to defy regulations by illegally trading on major roads and pedestrian walkways. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to ensure compliance and enhance the safety and ease of movement for all Lagosians,” he stated.
CSP Akerele sounded a note of warning to would-be traders and some of them who evaded arrest to take their trading activities to designated centers designed for commercial activities or risk being arrested and have the wares confiscated. He described some of their activities as criminal due to the recent events of traffic robberies recorded in the area.
“We are very much aware that some criminal elements amongst them hide under the guise of street trading to perpetrate their evil activities. All that has come to an end as of today because we are going all out to thwart their activities across the State”.
Akerele urged residents to continually utilise the feedback channels provided by the Agency to report suspicipus activities of any individual or group in order to sustain the peace and serenity enjoyed in the State.
The operation is the third in the series of enforcement for compliance carried out on the bridge between January this year till date.
