Lagos Cracks Down on Hoodlums Extorting Motorists on Lekki-Ajah Road

The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on hoodlums accused of harassing and extorting motorists along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway.

The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on hoodlums accused of harassing and extorting motorists along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources Tokunbo Wahab said operatives of the Rapid Response Squad carried out a midnight enforcement operation on the road to apprehend the suspected criminals.

Wahab said the hoodlums had been “constituting a nuisance and posing a threat to motorists and other road users.”

He said some of the suspects allegedly demand money from motorists and damage vehicles when their demands are rejected.

“The Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) conducted a midnight enforcement operation along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway to apprehend miscreants and hoodlums who have been constituting a nuisance and posing a threat to motorists and other road users,” Wahab said.

The commissioner said the state would continue to use intelligence-led operations against criminal elements whose activities threaten public safety and disrupt movement.

“The RRS will continue to sustain intelligence-led operations and enforcement actions against criminal elements whose activities threaten public safety and disrupt the free movement of people and vehicles across the state,” he said.

Government Warns Against Patronage

Wahab also linked the return of street urchins to financial support from members of the public, including some celebrities and influencers.

He said government had repeatedly apprehended and removed street urchins from parts of Lagos, but some return because of public patronage.

“The continued financial support and patronage they receive from some influencers, celebrities, and members of the public inadvertently encourage them to return to the streets,” Wahab said.

He urged residents to stop supporting activities that promote lawlessness and insecurity.

“We therefore urge everyone to desist from activities that may inadvertently encourage lawlessness, insecurity, street begging, and environmental nuisance on our roads,” he said.

The latest operation forms part of Lagos’ wider effort to improve safety and maintain order on major roads.