By Ejiofor Toochi
Edited by Ezennia Uche
No fewer than 11 suspects were arrested on Saturday night during a clean-up and anti-crime operation carried out by enforcement teams of the Lagos State Government in parts of Ikeja.
The late-night exercise, which took place between about 9:30 p.m. and midnight, covered Balogun Street by Allen Roundabout, the Ikeja Underbridge near the General Hospital, and Ikeja Bridge along Awolowo Way, key traffic and commercial corridors within the Lagos capital.
Disclosing details of the operation, Tokunbo Wahab, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, stated that enforcement teams had dislodged illegal street trading activities and removed makeshift structures erected by traders occupying public spaces.
Goods displayed in violation of environmental regulations were seized, while individuals described as miscreants found occupying the affected areas were apprehended. Wahab confirmed that a total of 11 suspects were arrested and would be charged accordingly.
He stated that the operation was necessary to restore order, ensure free movement of vehicles and pedestrians, and improve public safety. The commissioner noted that the state would not allow public infrastructure to be converted into illegal trading and criminal hideouts.
Allen Roundabout and the Ikeja Underbridge are among the busiest junctions in Ikeja, linking major routes such as Awolowo Way and serving commuters, traders, and visitors to nearby institutions. The presence of roadside trading and makeshift stalls in these areas has often contributed to congestion and safety concerns.
Wahab added that sustained enforcement would continue across the state, stressing that public spaces are not markets and would not be allowed to degenerate into unsafe environments. The operation forms part of ongoing efforts by the Lagos State Government to strengthen environmental compliance and maintain order.
In recent months, Wahab has intensified enforcement across Lagos, overseeing the closure of markets and buildings that violate sanitation rules, cracking down on illegal dumping and open defecation, and carrying out public order operations, including arrests of street beggars. He has also announced plans to reinstate the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, all aimed at improving cleanliness and public health.
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