The Lagos State Task Force has made significant arrests and seized large quantities of illegal diesel in a recent raid on Ikoyi black spots.
According to a statement from the agency, 114 suspects were arrested, and over 2,000 litres of illegally stored diesel were confiscated during the operation. The raid, led by Chairman CSP Adetayo Akerele, took place on Monday night.
The spokesperson for the Lagos State Task Force, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, explained, “The raid was conducted on multiple black spots in Ikoyi, including Mosley Street, Glover Road, and Lateef Jakande Avenue. It followed numerous complaints from residents about suspicious activities and the presence of unidentifiable individuals in their neighborhoods.”
Akerele described the situation, saying, “Residents had complained about increasing numbers of miscreants turning these inner streets into places for illicit activities such as drinking spots, gambling spots, and boutiques. What we found was alarming, and we are committed to restoring order to these streets immediately.”
He added, “We discovered over 2,000 litres of diesel hidden in an abandoned building. This is extremely dangerous and could lead to a fire disaster if not addressed properly.”
Out of the 114 suspects arrested, five were released after they could prove their identities and legitimate business activities. The remaining suspects will face charges in court, and all seized items will be forfeited to the state government.
In addition to the Ikoyi raid, the task force also conducted a separate operation in Ikeja on Tuesday, arresting 40 illegal traders. Abdulraheem noted that some of these traders were involved in illegal activities, including drug sales.
The Lagos State Task Force continues to take action against illegal activities to ensure the safety and security of residents.
