Lagos taskforce arrests homeless persons, street traders on Island

The Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental Offences conducted a late-night raid on Sunday on Akin Adesola Street and the area opposite the Eko Hotel.

The operation targeted street traders and homeless persons who had allegedly “turned the locations into commercial zones, obstructing pedestrian and vehicular traffic.”

The task force brought more than eight vehicles and several officers to reclaim the public space.

The state agency said the offenders had remained in the areas despite numerous warnings and prior notifications.

The officers impounded many motorcycles (Okada) and confiscated goods, as well as arrested many homeless persons.

The chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said, “The operation is all about enforcement as part of my responsibility to arrest and prosecute street traders and those who have converted public roads for commercial purposes. It is my responsibility to arrest and prosecute them.

“We have warned them and also arrested them before now and we are still going to arrest them if they still occupy this place.”

Akerele urged the street traders and homeless persons to find legitimate business premises and homes.

He added, “These raids are ongoing and will be a continuous process until they stop using the public road for commercial purposes.”