In a bid to restore law and order in one of Lagos’ busiest hubs, the Lagos State Taskforce has apprehended 88 suspected miscreants and criminals in two coordinated operations carried out at Oshodi and its surrounding areas.
The raids, which took place at 3 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively, followed a surge in complaints from motorists, residents, and pedestrians regarding the rising tide of criminal activity in the area.
According to CSP Adetayo Akerele, Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, the arrests are part of ongoing efforts to curb the activities of street urchins and touts, particularly in hotspots like Oshodi and Bolade.
“We cannot allow these criminal elements to hold our people hostage in their own communities,” Akerele declared. “The State Government remains steadfast in its resolve to protect lives and property.”
The crackdown, met with jubilation from onlookers at the Oshodi Oke Bridge, signals the taskforce’s commitment to combating the menace of hoodlums who target unsuspecting commuters during rush hours. These criminals have been accused of using pedestrian bridges to track potential victims, engaging in harassment and theft.
“The safety of Lagos residents is paramount to us,” Akerele reiterated, adding that surveillance conducted before the operation revealed the methods the miscreants used to ambush their victims. “We are committed to making sure their activities will soon be a thing of the past.”
The arrests come as part of the broader THEMES PLUS agenda of the Lagos State Government, which prioritizes security and law enforcement across the state’s metropolis. Akerele assured the public that the taskforce’s efforts would be sustained until order is fully restored in the area.
Motorists and residents are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities. “We remain on high alert and will continue to carry out surveillance and sting operations aimed at safeguarding the lives and property of motorists and residents along this axis and beyond,” Akerele said.
All 88 suspects arrested in the operations will face prosecution, in line with the taskforce’s mandate to ensure justice and security in Lagos State.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Director of Press and Public Affairs for the Lagos State Taskforce, also emphasized the need for the public’s cooperation in the ongoing campaign to rid Lagos of criminal elements.
