34 remanded for illegal street trading in Lagos

A Magistrate’s Court sitting in Bolade, Oshodi, has ordered the remand of 34 persons for allegedly engaging in illegal street trading along the median of the Alaba Rago–Ojo section of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.

The suspects, comprising 32 men and 2 women, were arrested over the weekend during a joint enforcement exercise conducted by officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI task force and the Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA.

The operation forms part of a broader initiative by the Lagos State Government to dismantle illegal structures and restore order to public spaces encroached upon by traders and makeshift settlements.

Authorities reported that several of those apprehended were residing in unauthorised shelters erected on the road median, some of which are alleged to have been used as hideouts for criminal activities.

The arrested persons include Ibrahim Abu, Isiaka Ashafa, Shaibu Isa, Abubakar Haruna, Aminu Haruna, Aminu Abdullahi, Zakariyahu Yahusa, Sunmola Musa, Samsideen Ali, Anthony Oyibo, Abubakar Yusuf, Muhammed Oseni, Aliu Mohammed, Lookman Adebayo, Igudu Ibrahim, Awalu Umar, Sani Babangida, Abdullahi Usman, Aliu Ibrahim, Roland David, David Timothy, Yusuf Adamu, Abdulsalam Sanusi, Nura Yusuf, Idris Isa, Nasiru Ali, Mayi Daniel, Isaac Samuel, Yahaya Mamuda, Salisu Ibrahim, Yusuf Adamu, Abdullahi Musa, Fadipe Bose, and Ebere Ndubuisi.

All suspects are to remain in custody until 22 July, when the matter will return to court for further proceedings.

Commenting on the enforcement action, the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, emphasised the administration’s commitment to enforcing environmental laws and discouraging activities that disrupt public order.

He called on residents to support the state’s efforts to maintain a clean and sustainable environment, highlighting the importance of public compliance.