The Lagos State Taskforce carried out a late-night raid on Sunday at Akin Adesola Street and the area opposite Eko Hotel.
The raid targeted street traders and homeless individuals who had turned these locations into busy commercial zones, blocking pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
The task force arrived with a heavy truck and more than eight enforcement vehicles, moving quickly to clear the public space.
Despite many warnings and prior notifications, the traders and street sleepers continued their activities, which led to the crackdown. During the operation, the task force seized many motorcycles (Okada) and confiscated a large number of goods. Several individuals were also arrested.
The chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, explained the reason for the raid. He 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.”
He noted that the task force had issued several warnings and made previous arrests, yet the illegal activities continued. “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 added.
CSP Akerele urged the public, especially street traders, to find legitimate business premises. He said, “My message to the public is that they should go and get a shop. If you must sell in Lagos, go and get a shop for yourself. The road is meant for the public to use, the walkway is not meant for people who are selling to come and convert it for commercial purposes. They should go and get a shop for themselves.”
He assured that the raids would continue until there is compliance. “These raids are ongoing and will be a continuous process until they stop using the public road for commercial purposes,” Akerele concluded.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the director of press & public affairs for the Lagos State Taskforce, stated that the operation is part of the Lagos State government’s efforts to ensure public safety and orderliness, restoring the intended use of roads and walkways in the city.
