The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has detained 50 suspected hoodlums during a statewide sanitation enforcement exercise aimed at improving environmental compliance.
The agency’s chairman, Adetayo Akerele, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan.
According to Akerele, the operation covered multiple locations identified as hotspots for environmental infractions, including Ikeja, Iyana-Ipaja, Abule Egba, Agege, Iyana Oworo, Lagos Island, Lekki–Ajah Expressway, Ijora Causeway, Ijora Underbridge and Iddo.
He noted that while there was a high level of compliance with restrictions on vehicular movement and commercial activities, some residents failed to fully participate in the sanitation exercise.
In a related development, the taskforce arrested 50 individuals along the Lekki–Epe corridor for allegedly disrupting public order during the sanitation period.
“Some of the suspects were involved in activities that threatened public infrastructure, including billboards and road signage,” Akerele said, adding that all those apprehended would be charged to court.
The monthly sanitation exercise is part of efforts by the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit to tackle indiscriminate waste disposal, open defecation, street trading and other environmental violations.
Akerele reiterated that offenders would be prosecuted in line with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law, 2017, stressing that sustained enforcement and public cooperation are essential to achieving a cleaner and safer city.
He also urged residents, particularly youths, to refrain from street football during sanitation hours and instead take part in keeping their communities clean.
The chairman reaffirmed the state government’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental infractions, noting that consistent compliance is critical to making Lagos more liveable.
