Lagos Gives Alaba Rago Traders 72 Hours to Vacate Ahead of Crackdown

(CSP Adetayo Akerele. Photo by Punch News)

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to street traders and illegal occupants along the Alaba Rago axis of the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway to vacate the area ahead of a planned enforcement exercise.

Task Force Chairman CSP Adetayo Akerele, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the operation would be carried out in collaboration with other enforcement agencies and is aimed at clearing illegal trading activities on highways, walkways, road medians and setbacks along the corridor, in line with the state’s Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.

Akerele described the Alaba Rago corridor situated along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, also known as the ECOWAS Road as a strategic route that can no longer be allowed to suffer from widespread environmental disorder.

“Lagos State cannot pretend or look the other way over the level of illegal activities and environmental hazards here. This situation does not reflect the status of a modern megacity,” he said.

The enforcement exercise is expected to target makeshift shops, illegal structures, mini brothels, used plastic depots, indiscriminate waste disposal and other environmental infractions in the area.

Akerele warned that goods belonging to violators would be confiscated after the expiration of the notice, and offenders would face legal sanctions.

He noted that the state government had engaged stakeholders through dialogue and sensitisation before proceeding to enforcement, in keeping with its inclusive governance approach.

The exercise is being coordinated by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources under Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab.