23rd August, 2015
Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce) on Sunday, raided some black spots at the famous Oshodi area of the state, arresting 223 suspected miscreants.
The taskforce officials also removed illegal structures erected by recalcitrant street hawkers and roadside traders around the Oshodi market.
According to the Chairman of the unit, SP Olubukola Abe, the raid is a follow up to the sensitisation visit officials of the taskforce paid to the market a week back as well as the stakeholders meeting organised by the unit to warn and advice all street hawkers and traders to desist from carrying out their illegal activities around the market.
He further said that most of the suspected miscreants were arrested between 2:00 am and 4:00 am on the Oshodi bridge between Anthony and Charity bus stops which further served as an indictment against them.
Among those arrested were nine children, 189 adults and five women.
But of utmost concern is the case of the young children who were out on the roads at ungodly hours.
To this, Abe would like parents and guardians to take better care of their children so as to prevent them from being used as tools by criminals.
On the removal of shanties and extensions, the chairman said the state government had no choice but to enforce the “zero tolerance” for street trading rules since the traders had remained recalcitrant.
He said the taskforce would not fold its arms while such illegalities continued.
Abe therefore warned that the exercise would be extended to other noticeable part of the state where this particular act is being perpetuated while Oshodi will be sustained.
He said all suspects would be thoroughly screened and that only those found wanting would be charged before the court of law.