In a sweeping crackdown on criminal activity and environmental violations, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), in collaboration with multiple security agencies, apprehended six suspected members of a notorious “one-chance” syndicate operating beneath the Ijora Bridge in Lagos.
The operation, which took place on Thursday, October 23, was part of a broader inter-agency enforcement initiative targeting illegal garages, unauthorised shanties, and criminal hideouts along Apapa Road, Costain, and the Ijora under-bridge corridor. The raid led to the recovery of 77 stolen mobile phones, two Point-of-Sale (POS) machines, several wristwatches, and other personal belongings believed to have been forcibly taken from unsuspecting commuters.
The coordinated effort was spearheaded by Honourable Sola Giwa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, and included personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police (MOPOL), Lagos State Task Force, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), and the Nigerian Army.
Preliminary findings indicate that the Ijora under-bridge area had long served as a haven for criminal elements, including “one-chance” syndicates known for orchestrated theft and violent assaults. The location also reportedly functioned as a storage site for stolen goods and contraband.
In addition to the arrests, enforcement officers uncovered several kegs of adulterated diesel and over 150 packs of expired snacks—plantain chips and Cheese Balls—stored in unsanitary conditions, posing serious public health risks. The task force also demolished more than 120 illegal structures, including makeshift shelters built along the perimeter of St. Peter’s Catholic Nursery and Primary School on Apapa Road, restoring order and cleanliness to the area.
Speaking at the scene, Honourable Giwa emphasised the Sanwo-Olu administration’s unwavering stance against environmental degradation and criminality. “This operation is part of our comprehensive strategy to reclaim public spaces and ensure a safer, cleaner, and more livable Lagos,” he stated. He also warned that similar enforcement actions would continue across the state until full compliance is achieved.
LASTMA General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised the seamless collaboration among the participating agencies, calling the operation a model of effective inter-agency synergy. He reiterated that LASTMA’s responsibilities extend beyond traffic control to encompass public safety and the protection of transportation infrastructure.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and support government efforts to maintain law and order.
The arrested suspects have been identified as Adetunji Bashiru (28), Sulaiman Kada (35), Abubakar Bala (42), Abubakar Ahmed (28), Rasaq Gbadamosi (21), and Ibrahim Yakub (23). They are currently in custody and will be handed over to the appropriate law enforcement authorities for further investigation and prosecution.
