The Lagos State Government has apprehended 36 individuals for engaging in illegal street trading and displaying goods on the road median along the Ojo-Alaba corridor.
The suspects—34 men and two women—were arrested during a joint enforcement exercise conducted by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force.
Kunle Adeshina, spokesperson for the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday.
The crackdown followed a prior inspection of the Alaba Rago Market by a high-level team led by Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab.
During the visit, the commissioner expressed displeasure over the unsanitary conditions around the market and directed traders operating on the median to vacate the area within a set deadline.
The arrests were made after that deadline expired, underscoring the government’s commitment to restoring order and ensuring environmental compliance in public spaces.
Adeshina stated that the arrested individuals will be arraigned in court in due course.
“A joint operation by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial and the Lagos Waste Management Authority @Lawma_gov cleared illegal traders from the Ojo–Alaba Road median,” Wahab posted on social media. “Three individuals were also arrested for obstructing the operation and will be prosecuted according to Lagos State laws.”
