LAGOS—The Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit recently nabbed 40 individuals for reportedly engaging in street trading at night, leading to severe traffic congestion in Ikeja.
The agency’s spokesperson, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, verified the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.
Abdulraheem, also mentioned that the individuals were involved in unauthorized night street trading and eateries on Alade Avenue, Orishe, and Johnson Streets, all located off Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja.
“They converted streets to mini-markets and restaurants, thereby causing serious human/vehicular traffic obstructions and serious environmental pollution along those routes and adjoining streets,” he said.
The spokesperson mentioned that the operation conducted over two nights, under the leadership of the agency’s Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, occurred as the traders set up temporary shops and blocked sections of the road, resulting in traffic disruptions.
Abdulraheem pointed out that the suspects also violated the state’s environmental regulations by carelessly dumping waste and solid materials into the gutters in that vicinity.
He said, “The raid will be a continuous exercise as a step made in the interest of the citizenry who have longed for solutions to the menace of street trading.
“Some of these locations serve as a haven for suspected criminals and they enjoy the proceeds of their criminal activities there.
“The flooding experienced in some parts of the state is also a result of improper disposal of waste that ends up clogging the drainage channels.
“They also sell drugs indiscriminately there, which is counter-productive to the society,” he added.
Abdulraheem urged other defiant street traders and vendors to move their shops to assigned locations meant for trading and leave the streets and inner roads.
