Operatives of the Lagos State Taskforce have arrested over 12,429 hoodlums and miscreants in different parts of the metropolis in 2021.
Chairman, Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye disclosed this during a clearing up exercise Mushin/Olosha, an exercise carried out by the taskforce, in conjunction with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, LAGESC.
The clearing exercise was meant to get rid of traders who display their wares on the road, thus, impeding the flow of traffic.
The clearing exercise lasted for about three hours to ensure that the exercise was thorough and effective in order to prevent the return of the traders to the same spot after completion.
The Chairman explained that this had become necessary and inevitable as Lagosians had thrown in series of complaints through various channels asking the state government to come to their aid to put a stop to the selfish actions of roadside traders which had become a norm in that axis.
“Mushin/Olosha axis has been known for this practice for quite a while even before the completion of the road leading to Oshodi. We have appealed to traders to desist from displaying their goods on the road side and on the walkways but it has fallen on deaf ears, hence the need to clear them out forcefully.
“Vehicles will now be able to ply freely from Mushin to Oshodi unhindered while the operation will put a total stop to indiscriminate disposal of waste on the roads and gutters.” he said.
Jejeloye said the exercise would be a continuous one as officials of both agencies would continually monitor the major highways and inner roads to prevent a return of traders to the roadside.
“it will be continuous and also be extended to other parts of the State. The traffic caused due to the partial closure of the roads by these traders creates serious backlogs to adjoining roads and also gives room for traffic robbery. We won’t condone this economic waste anymore. Any one who wants to display his/her wares or sell goods should move into the main market complex or he risks being arrested,” Jejeloye warned.
Similarly, a statement issued by the agency’s Director, Press and Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said Jejeloye proceeded with his men to Costain/Iponrin axis of the State where 84 okadas were impounded for flouting the state government’s laws guiding their operations.