The Lagos State Taskforce on Environment and Special Offences has arrested 40 people for illegal night trading and causing heavy traffic in Ikeja.
The spokesperson for the agency, Mr. Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, confirmed the arrests to the News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday.
Abdulraheem said the suspects were caught trading on the streets and running illegal restaurants at Alade Avenue, Orishe, and Johnson Streets, all off Obafemi Awolowo Way in Ikeja.
He explained, “They have converted streets into mini-markets and restaurants, causing serious traffic obstructions and environmental pollution.”
The arrests were made during a two-day night raid led by CSP Adetayo Akerele, Chairman of the Taskforce.
Abdulraheem noted that the traders had set up makeshift shops and placed barricades on parts of the road, which led to traffic problems.
He also said the suspects had violated state environmental laws by disposing of waste and solid materials improperly into gutters. Abdulraheem stated, “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.”
He added, “Some of these locations serve as a haven for suspected criminals who benefit from their activities there. The flooding in some parts of the state is also caused by improper waste disposal that clogs drainage channels.”
Abdulraheem called on other street traders and vendors to move their businesses to designated trading areas and clear the streets and inner roads.
