Crackdown on restricted routes: Lagos confiscates 309 okadas

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit has confiscated 309 commercial motorcycles for operating on prohibited routes during an extensive enforcement operation across parts of the state.

The exercise also saw officials remove numerous illegal structures, including shanties, kiosks, makeshift shops and roadside trading stalls that authorities said had become sources of traffic obstruction and environmental degradation.

The operation covered several locations along the ECOWAS Road corridor and adjoining communities, including Orile-Iganmu Bus Stop, Suuru-Alaba Bus Stop, Mile 2 Underbridge, Mazamaza Bus Stop, Festac First Gate, Iyana-Ira, Abule-Ado, Alakija Bus Stop, Iyana-Iba, Alaba Rago, Old Ojo Road and Okoko Bus Stop.

Addressing journalists after the weekend exercise, Chairman of the Taskforce, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Adetayo Akerele, said the scale of illegal activities discovered during the operation was disturbing.

He explained that the enforcement exercise was conducted jointly with the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, while the Lagos State Police Command provided security support.

According to Akerele, the operation was designed to eliminate illegal activities and locations that could provide cover for criminals masquerading as legitimate traders or commercial operators.

He said the initiative also supports the Lagos State Government’s THEMES Plus Agenda and complements the security strategy of the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, aimed at tackling emerging threats such as kidnapping and other forms of crime.

“At the conclusion of the operation, 309 commercial motorcycles were impounded,” Akerele said.

He disclosed that enforcement officers equally removed illegal kiosks, makeshift stalls, unauthorised wooden structures, abandoned household items, improperly displayed building materials and other obstructions encroaching on public roads.

According to him, the exercise was intended to restore sanity to the affected areas, ease traffic movement and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

Akerele added that all confiscated motorcycles would undergo legal forfeiture proceedings in accordance with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, before becoming the property of the Lagos State Government.

He reiterated that the agency would continue similar operations across the state until there is full compliance with extant laws.

The Taskforce chairman also blamed illegal ticketing, roadside trading and persistent violations by commercial motorcycle operators for worsening insecurity, traffic congestion and environmental pollution.

“We will continue to enforce the law without fear or favour to guarantee a safer, cleaner and more orderly Lagos for all residents,” he said.