Lagos State Task Force has impounded 309 commercial motorcycles during a major enforcement operation along the Lagos-Badagry expressway aimed at restoring order, improving traffic flow and strengthening security across the corridor.
The exercise also saw the removal of illegal structures, street traders, shanties, kiosks, and other environmental nuisances, including a cleanup of the Alaba Rago International Market area in Ojo.
The operation was carried out by the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, with support from the Lagos State Police Command.
The agency’s spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to reinforce the state’s security architecture.
According to him, the exercise was also designed to deny criminal elements the opportunity to operate under the guise of illegal commercial activities while advancing the Lagos State Government’s THEMES Plus Agenda and supporting the efforts of the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, to combat kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality.
Gbadeyan said the enforcement covered several strategic locations along the ECOWAS Road and the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, including Orile-Iganmu Bus Stop, Suuru-Alaba Bus Stop, Mile 2 Underbridge, Maza-maza Bus Stop, FESTAC First Gate, Iyana-Ira, Abule-Ado, Alakija Bus Stop, Iyana-Iba, Alaba Rago, Old Ojo Road and Okoko Bus Stop.
He disclosed that at the end of the operation, 309 commercial motorcycles were impounded.
The spokesperson added that enforcement officers also dismantled and removed illegal kiosks, makeshift stalls, abandoned household items, domestic animals obstructing public spaces, unauthorised plank structures, indiscriminately displayed building materials, and other obstructions along the highways.
According to him, the exercise restored order, improved traffic flow and enhanced environmental compliance across the affected areas.
The agency stated that all impounded motorcycles would be processed for forfeiture to the Lagos State Government through the courts in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
It reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining similar enforcement operations across the state until full compliance with extant laws is achieved.
Speaking after the operation, the Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, described the level of lawlessness and indiscriminate development along the corridor as alarming.
He said illegal ticketing, street trading, and the activities of recalcitrant commercial motorcycle operators had created an environment that encourages criminality, traffic congestion, and environmental degradation.
“No stone will be left unturned in our determination to restore sanity. It is high time criminal elements operating in Lagos State desist from these unlawful activities or relocate.
“We will continue to enforce the law without fear or favour in order to guarantee a safer, cleaner and more orderly Lagos for everyone,” Akerele said.