The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has detained 50 suspected hoodlums during a statewide enforcement operation targeting environmental sanitation breaches.
Chairman Adetayo Akerele confirmed the arrests in a statement issued by the taskforce spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, on Sunday in Lagos.
Akerele said enforcement operations were conducted across multiple hotspots notorious for recurring infractions, including Ikeja, Iyana-Ipaja, Abule-Egba, Agege, Iyana-Oworo, Lagos Island, the Lekki–Ajah Expressway, Ijora Causeway, Ijora Underbridge, and Iddo.
While noting significant compliance with restrictions on vehicular movement and commercial activities, he observed that some residents failed to participate actively in the exercise.
In a related development, 50 individuals were apprehended along the Lekki–Epe Expressway for allegedly disturbing public peace during the designated sanitation period.
“Some suspects were implicated in acts threatening public infrastructure, including billboards and road signage. All suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” Akerele said.
He reiterated that the monthly sanitation exercise targets indiscriminate waste disposal, open defecation, street trading, and other environmental infractions. Violators will be prosecuted under the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law, 2017.
Akerele stressed that consistent enforcement and public cooperation remain essential to achieving lasting environmental order. He urged youths to avoid street football during sanitation hours and instead participate in community cleanliness efforts.
The chairman reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance, adding that sustained compliance is critical to making Lagos safer, cleaner, and more liveable.