The Lagos State Taskforce has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to street traders and illegal occupants operating along the Alaba Rago corridor of the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway, warning that enforcement actions will commence after the deadline expires.
The directive forms part of ongoing efforts by the Lagos State Government to enforce environmental laws and the ban on street trading as stipulated in the 2017 Environmental Laws of the state.
According to the Lagos State Taskforce, the planned operation, which is being carried out in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, is aimed at clearing illegal trading activities on highways, walkways, road medians, and setbacks along the Alaba Rago axis.
The agency noted that the activities of street traders and illegal occupants in the area have generated complaints from motorists, pedestrians, residents, visitors entering Nigeria through the Seme border, and environmental stakeholders over growing environmental degradation, security concerns, and safety risks.
The enforcement exercise will target makeshift shops, illegal structures, mini brothels, used plastic depots, indiscriminate waste disposal sites, unregulated trading activities, and other environmental violations along the corridor.
Speaking during a public sensitisation and enlightenment exercise, Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, urged all affected traders and occupants to vacate the area voluntarily within 72 hours to avoid sanctions.
According to Akerele, the Alaba Rago corridor, situated along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, popularly known as the ECOWAS Road, is too important to be allowed to remain in its current condition.
“Lagos State cannot pretend or look the other way over the level of illegal activities and environmental hazards here. This situation does not reflect the status of a modern megacity. The time has come to enforce the laws and correct these abnormalities,” he said.
The Taskforce chairman further described the level of criminal and environmental violations in the area as unacceptable, stressing that the government had engaged stakeholders through dialogue and sensitisation before deciding to begin enforcement.
“Everyone knows that trading on highways, walkways, and setbacks is illegal. However, because of the Lagos State Government’s people-oriented approach and inclusive governance policy, we have engaged all relevant parties before taking action. After this, enforcement will commence against anyone who continues to violate the laws of the State,” Akerele stated.
He warned that traders and occupants who fail to comply with the directive would have their goods confiscated and could face legal action.
The operation is being coordinated under the supervision of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, led by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, as part of efforts to restore environmental sanity and uphold Lagos’ status as a modern megacity.
