…dislodges illegal “Danfo” operators, traders
…impounds 45 vehicles, arrests
Men of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Uni, Taskforce, in a renewed clampdown against environmental nuisance, yesterday, stormed Oshodi Market, Ikeja, Iyana-Ipaja and environs, dislodging all Illegal traders as well as arresting traffic laws violators in the process.
The operations, led by Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Adetayo Akerele, said the agency in its mandate of restoring sanity and decorum on Lagos roads carried out at Oshodi, Ikeja and Iyana Ipaja area, recorded arrest of recalcitrant commercial bus operators disrupting the free flow of traffic causing discomfort to motorists, residents, other road users along those routes in the process.
According to him, through the enforcement for compliance operations of the agency, in a simultaneous operation, which began in the early hours on Thursday, recorded seizures of 45 vehicles along the highways for various traffic offences such as: traffic obstruction, stopping at undesignated bus stops, garages, dropping and picking-up of passengers, among others.
Akerele who disclosed that he had carried out similar operations in those areas, expressed surprise to find the mini- bus operators popularly called, “korope” still operating illegally for same offence their colleagues were nabbed sometimes last week.
“You would think these set of Danfo drivers would have learnt from the seizure of vehicles of their colleagues but that is not what we have observed. They will learn the hard way eventually. We will not relent on our oars as well,” Akerele stated.
The chairman, therefore, warned other commercial bus operators across the state on the need to desist from illegal acts, saying, “They should turn over a new leaf or have their vehicles impounded.”
Akerele continued: “There will be no sacred cows in this new dispensation. I don’t care if your commercial bus is branded or tagged with intimidating stickers to escape arrest from enforcers of laws, if you obstruct the highway, your vehicle will be confiscated. Any selfish bus operator will not shortchange law-abiding residents.”
Akerele said, drivers of all impounded vehicles will be prosecuted.
Raids Oshodi environs
In a related development, taskforce, stormed Oshodi Market and its environs and dislodged all illegal traders. All makeshift stalls were destroyed in the process.
Akerele, who led the operation, explained that Taskforce, have stormed Oshodi Market and its environs, and dislodged all Illegal traders, destroying all makeshift stalls in the process.
Taskforce boss who led the operation explained that the agency deliberately moved toward enforcing State Street trading ban, a key statutory function in the mandate of the taskforce.
He warned those still in the practice of engaging in such activities in other parts of the state to vacate the roads, stating that “it is not only harmful to the environment but also poses danger to the traders and commuters who are forced to walk on the highway due to the impediments being created by their activities.
“The enforcement team moved through major lanes of the Oshodi Market, including: Oshodi Road, Suwebatu Street and the Oshodi-Apapa Express Way, during which the locations were rid of all environmental infractions that include, the display of merchandise on the streets and the erection of Illegal stalls along the Oshodi-Apapa Express Way, contrary to the dictates of the environmental law banning such practices in Lagos,” Akerele stated.
He continued; “The latest enforcement operation in Oshodi Market, represents a bold statement in continuation of related enforcement actions being carried out in the Lagos State transport sector by the agency over the last few days.”
Akerele at the assumption of office had declared zero tolerance under his supervision that the the agency would prioritize discipline, professionalism and a high sense of integrity, in the discharge of its duties with a view to improve Lagos environment and make it saner, safer and friendlier for the citizenry.
Meanwhile, Akerele, recently, while addressing officers, men and Para Military personnel at the Headquarters of the Agency, Oshodi, where he was received by staff to celebrate his recent appointment as the Chairman of the agency, said, “we will make Lagos State free from Environmental hazards, traffic indiscipline and all forms of illegalities in the state will be safe and habitable for you and me”
Furthermore, he addressed Para-Military officers attached to the agency educating them on the need to carry out their duty with dignity and empathy as members of the public are a bit uneasy due to economic situation in the country.
“Shun any form of illegality. Going on solo assignments is a suicide mission, if you are caught, you are gone. The society does not tolerate any illegalities so please resist the urge to engage in any form of it to avoid being found wanting.
Akerele promised to carry out more enforcement exercise in areas identified as black spots and locations which have been known to be serial environmental defaulters in the state, saying, “it is time to grab the bull by the horn and stamp out environmental degradation completely.”
