Investigation

Lagos task force arrests 33 suspected criminals, drug peddlers

Published

1 hour ago

July 28, 2026

Lagos task force arrests 33 suspected criminals, drug peddlers

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit has arrested 33 suspects during a coordinated enforcement operation targeting criminal activities across parts of the state.

The raids took place in Ikate Bus Stop, Marwa Bus Stop, Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island, Obalende Underbridge, Law School Junction, and other adjoining locations along the Lekki-Epe Expressway.

This was made public in a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Affairs of the Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem.

Gbadeyan said: “In furtherance of its statutory mandate and in alignment with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the Lagos State government, particularly its zero-tolerance stance against environmental degradation, drug abuse, and criminality, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) has intensified its routine enforcement operations across the metropolis.

“The early morning operation, conducted on Monday, July 27, targeted street urchins, miscreants, suspected drug addicts and peddlers, illegal commercial motorcyclists (Okada riders), street traders, illegal ticket touts, and other criminal elements whose activities pose threats to public safety and environmental order.”

“Areas covered during the exercise included Ikate Bus Stop, Marwa Bus Stop, Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island, Obalende Underbridge, Law School Junction, and other adjoining locations along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, where the presence of suspected criminal elements had become noticeable.”

Gbadeyan added that, “at the end of the operation, a total of 33 suspects were arrested, while several exhibits were recovered. Items seized include substances suspected to be Tramadol, Indian hemp, Colorado, marijuana, cannabis, as well as dangerous weapons and objects such as scissors and cutlasses.”

According to the Taskforce, all 33 suspects have been arraigned before the appropriate courts under the provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017, and the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, where applicable.

Speaking after the operation, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the agency would not relent in its crackdown on criminal elements across the state.

He warned that the agency would continue intelligence-driven raids to flush out hoodlums and restore public order.

“Our mandate is clear. We will continue to comb every part of the metropolis to rid Lagos of criminal elements. Anyone whose activities threaten public peace, environmental sanity or the safety of residents will be arrested and made to face the law,” he stated.

Akerele urged officers of the task force to sustain the momentum of the enforcement operations and intensify efforts to tackle crime across the state.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖

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