The Lagos State Taskforce recently conducted a major cleanup operation along the Mile 2 Oke stretch of the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, resulting in the removal of illegal shanties and roadside vendors. The operation also led to the confiscation of 2,000 liters of petroleum products.
Abdulraheem Gbadeyanka, the Agency’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, confirmed the details in a statement released on Tuesday. He explained that the exercise aimed to address the growing problems caused by roadside vendors and the proliferation of shanties in the area.
Gbadeyanka highlighted that illegal roadside activities had contributed to severe traffic congestion, a rise in traffic-related robberies, and environmental degradation. He noted, “The spread of shanties has not only affected traffic flow but has also become a hotspot for criminal activities, jeopardizing the safety of motorists and commuters.”
The cleanup was part of the initiatives under Chairman Adetayo Akerele, aimed at preserving and protecting the environment in alignment with the state government’s agenda.
The taskforce uncovered that some roadside vendors had been illegally selling petroleum products, leading to the seizure of over 2,000 liters of petrol and diesel. The practice was described as highly dangerous due to the risk of fire hazards and explosions.
Gbadeyanka assured that the arrested suspects would be charged in court and that efforts would continue to halt activities that endanger the lives of both illegal vendors and road users.
Leave a Reply