By George OPARA
The taskforce established by the Lagos State government has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to street traders and illegal occupants along the Alaba Rago corridor of the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway to quit the area ahead of a major enforcement activity.
The agency affirmed that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to enforce environmental laws and the ban on street trading across the state as provided by the Lagos State Environmental Laws of 2017.
In a statement by the Force Public Relation Officer, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the Taskforce disclosed that, in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, it would clear illegal trading activities on highways, walkways, road medians and setbacks along the Alaba Rago axis.
The Force said the corridor has become a source of concern for motorists, pedestrians, residents and visitors entering the country through the Seme border due to rising environmental degradation, safety risks and security challenges.
Abdulraheem said the enforcement exercise will target makeshift shops, illegal structures, mini brothels, used-plastic depots, indiscriminate waste-disposal sites, and other environmental violations affecting the area.
According to the statement, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, who spoke during a sensitisation exercise, urged affected traders and occupants to leave voluntarily within the stipulated period to avoid sanctions.
Akerele described the Alaba Rago corridor along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, also known as the ECOWAS Road, as a strategic route that cannot be allowed to remain under the grip of illegal activities.
“Lagos State cannot continue to overlook the level of illegal activities and environmental hazards in the area. The situation is inconsistent with the status of a modern megacity, and the time has come to enforce the law,” he said.
Akerele noted that the government had engaged stakeholders through dialogue and public enlightenment before embarking on the planned operation.
He further warned that anyone found trading illegally on highways, walkways or road setbacks after the expiration of the notice would have their goods confiscated and face legal action.
Also, he reiterated the Lagos State government’s commitment to maintaining environmental order, safety, and security across the state, in line with the administration’sTHEMES Plus Agenda.
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