Follow Us on Google
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Task Force) has impounded 309 commercial motorcycles operating illegally along the ECOWAS Road corridor.
The agency also cleared the corridor of traffic obstructions, street traders, shanties, makeshift shops, kiosks and other environmental nuisance that had become common along the route.
The task force said the operation was part of its mandate to maintain safer highways and a cleaner, more orderly environment across the state.
According to the agency, the enforcement exercise followed the directive of the Lagos State Government on the ban on commercial motorcycles operating on highways and other restricted routes.
In a statement, Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State Task Force, Gbade Abdulraheem, said: “The enforcement exercise, strategically executed by the Lagos State Task Force and planned by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources with the support of the Lagos State Police Command, forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the security architecture of Lagos State.
“The operation is also aimed at denying criminal elements the opportunity to operate under the guise of illegal commercial activities while supporting the THEMES Plus Agenda of the Lagos State Government and the efforts of the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, to tackle emerging security challenges, including kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality.
“The exercise covered strategic locations along the ECOWAS Road, including Orile-Iganmu Bus Stop, Suuru-Alaba Bus Stop, Mile 2 Underbridge, Mazamaza Bus Stop, Festac First Gate, Iyana-Ira, Abule-Ado, Alakija Bus Stop, Iyana-Iba, Alaba Rago, Old Ojo Road and Okoko Bus Stop.
“At the conclusion of the operation, 309 commercial motorcycles were impounded. Enforcement officers also dismantled and removed several illegal kiosks, makeshift stalls, abandoned household items, domestic animals obstructing public spaces, unapproved plank structures, indiscriminately displayed building materials and other obstructions, thereby restoring order, improving traffic flow and enhancing environmental compliance across the affected areas.
“The task force reiterated that all impounded motorcycles would be processed for forfeiture to the Lagos State Government through the courts in accordance with the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018.
“The agency remains committed to sustaining enforcement operations across the state until full compliance with extant laws is achieved.”
Speaking after the operation, Chairman of the agency, 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 encouraged 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 either 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.
