Lagos Task Force nabs six suspects for environmental offences

Operatives of Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit also known as Task Force, yesterday, arrested six suspects during a raid, and dislodgment of street traders at Pen Cinema and Agege.

The Guardian gathered that the raid was in line with the state’s zero tolerance to street trading and illicit display of goods on walkways, kerbs, and rail tracks across the state.

Chairman of the Agency, Shola Jejeloye, who led the operation, said the arrested suspects include: four street traders, and two others, who tried to stop the Agency from carrying out its legitimate duties.

He said the state would not rest on its oars until efforts of those trying to deface the outlook of the state through their selfish acts were completely truncated.

According to him, it would no longer be business as usual, as the exercise would be continuous till the ultimate goal of serenity in the environment is achieved.

He said: “Even the street traders can also attest to the fact that we meant business. In the past, we would operate with the belief that they would not come back to their illegalities, but to our own surprise they still regroup and continue with the illicit trade. This time it is different, we are combing every area in Lagos till street trading becomes a thing of the past.”

Jejeloye said it was suicidal to carry out business activities on rail tracks.

“We value the lives of Lagosians. That is one of the reasons we carry out these enforcement exercises to save lives and our environment. An eye witness told us that a train crushed some traders who were carrying out their businesses on the tracks some days ago and I must confess that it is completely disheartening,” he added.

The Task Force boss warned street traders and illicit operators, who built make-shifts at Fagba, down to Isokoko, that the Agency would be coming there in the nearest future to restore sanity in that axis.

He appealed to traders who are also fond of displaying their wares by the roadside, mostly at night to desist forthwith or risk having their goods confiscated.

Jejeloye also assured Lagosians that the Agency would continue to synergise with sister agencies to completely achieve the agenda of the present administration.

PHOTO Lagos Task Force nabs six suspects over environmental offences