The Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences has arrested more than 30 suspected miscreants, drug peddlers and street urchins, popularly known as “Omotaku,” during an early-morning enforcement operation in Obalende, Marina and other parts of Lagos Island.
The exercise, aimed at enforcing the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law of 2017, was led by the Agency’s Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, who supervised operations across identified blackspots with a history of environmental and criminal violations.
According to the Taskforce, the operation forms part of its statutory mandate to rid the state of environmental infractions, criminal hideouts and public nuisances.
Operatives arrested the suspects for allegedly disturbing public peace and attempting to perpetrate criminal activities. Some were also implicated in acts that threatened public infrastructure, including billboards and road signage.
Several narcotics, including Indian hemp, marijuana, codeine, “Colorado” and “Shase,” were recovered from the suspects. The Taskforce said all of them would be charged in court.
At Obalende, CSP Akerele commended the natives and residents for their vigilance and for taking responsibility in driving out “men of the underworld” from the area. He encouraged them to sustain their participation.
“Active citizen participation, alongside consistent enforcement operations by Taskforce operatives and other relevant agencies, remains critical to achieving lasting environmental sanity across the State,” Akerele said.
He warned that criminals and violators of environmental laws would be prosecuted in accordance with the 2017 law.
Speaking later at the Agency’s headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, the Chairman urged residents to play an active role in determining the security architecture of their communities.
“Everyone must actively participate in determining the security architecture of their areas and desist from engaging in street violence,” he said. He also cautioned residents against harbouring or keeping disgruntled elements as friends, saying such persons “have nothing positive to offer or contribute to the development of their areas.”
The Lagos State Government, the Taskforce added, remains committed to a zero-tolerance stance on environmental nuisances, criminal elements and street urchins as part of broader efforts to make Lagos “a cleaner, safer and more livable city for all.”
