The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has issued a 72-hour notice to street traders and illegal occupants operating along the Alaba Rago section of the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway, directing them to leave the area before a major enforcement operation begins.
The Chairman of the Task Force, Adetayo Akerele, announced the directive on Wednesday through a statement released by the agency’s spokesperson, Abdulraheem Gbadeyan.
Akerele said the exercise forms part of the Lagos State Government’s efforts to enforce environmental regulations and curb street trading in line with the state’s Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
According to him, the operation will be carried out jointly with other enforcement agencies and will target illegal commercial activities on highways, road medians, walkways and setbacks along the busy corridor.
He explained that the move was necessary to address worsening environmental degradation, security concerns and safety hazards linked to the activities of traders and illegal occupants in the area.
“The exercise is aimed at addressing growing concerns over environmental degradation, safety risks and security challenges associated with the area,” Akerele stated.
The task force boss described the Alaba Rago axis of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, a major regional route also known as the ECOWAS Road, as a strategic corridor that must be protected from environmental abuse and physical disorder.
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He said the state government could no longer tolerate the level of illegal activities in the area, stressing that such conditions were inconsistent with the image of Lagos as a modern megacity.
Akerele noted that the enforcement drive would also focus on removing makeshift structures, illegal shops, mini brothels, used plastic collection centres and other environmental nuisances contributing to the deterioration of the corridor.
He added that the government had engaged stakeholders through consultations and sensitisation campaigns before resorting to enforcement, in keeping with its inclusive governance approach.
The chairman warned that traders who fail to comply with the directive risk having their goods confiscated, while violators would face legal sanctions after the expiration of the 72-hour ultimatum.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Lagos State Government to maintaining environmental sanity, public safety and security, adding that the exercise is being coordinated by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources under the leadership of Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab.