Lagos task force arrests 56 suspects in clean-up operation

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit Taskforce has arrested 56 suspects during a midnight clean-up and enforcement operation in the Mainland area of the state.

Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, confirmed the development in a post on his X handle on Saturday.

He said the arrests were part of ongoing efforts to curb criminal activities and enforce environmental laws in Lagos State.

The commissioner said that the suspects were apprehended as part of ongoing efforts to rid Lagos State of criminal activities and environmental violations.

“The operation began at 12:20 a.m. on Saturday, along the Akowonjo Road, by Cele Bus Stop.

“Taskforce observed that the entire stretch of the road had been taken over by illegal activities, including makeshift beer parlours, open drug peddling at various levels, and the presence of criminal elements, ” he said.

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Wahab said that such activities not only posed security risks but also obstructed traffic and violated state environmental laws.

“During the operation, officials cleared the area of all infractions, successfully dispersing criminal elements and restoring order.

“Chairs, tables and other items that had been unlawfully placed on the roadway, thereby hindering the free flow of traffic, were seized by the task force.

“In the course of the enforcement exercise, a total of 56 suspects were apprehended,” he said.

According to him, all those apprehended will be arraigned in court as soon as possible.

Wahab reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to sustaining the clean-up enforcement operation across the state, warning that the government would not relent in its resolve to maintain environmental sanity, public safety and the rule of law.

He urged residents to cooperate with authorities and comply with environmental regulations, stressing that public spaces must not be converted to hubs.

(NAN)