The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit has arrested 52 suspects during a clean-up and enforcement exercise aimed at tackling environmental violations and criminal activities across Lagos Island.
The operation led by the Chairman of the Agency, Adetayo Akerele, targeted areas such as Lekki, Ikoyi, Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel, and Ligali Ayorinde, notorious for numerous complaints and distress calls over the activities of street urchins, hooligans, pickpockets, and other criminal elements, particularly during late hours.
Speaking after the operation, Akerele reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining public safety and environmental order across the state, warning criminal elements to desist from acts that threaten the peace and security of residents.
According to a statement on the State Government’s website, a total of 51 male and one female suspects were apprehended during the raid, as the Taskforce successfully restored order and sanity to the affected locations.
The statement partly reads: “In a determined effort to rid the metropolis of environmental infractions, criminal elements and enhance public safety, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit carried out a routine enforcement and clean-up operation in the early hours of Saturday, 26th April, 2025.
“The operation, which commenced at approximately 12:35 a.m., was led by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, and targeted key areas including Lekki, Ikoyi, Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel, and Ligali Ayorinde. These areas had been flagged through numerous complaints and distress calls indicating the presence of street urchins, miscreants, hooligans, pickpockets, and other suspected criminals, especially during late hours.
“During the raid, a total of fifty-two (52) suspects comprising fifty-one (51) males and one (1) female were apprehended. The Agency successfully restored order and sanity to all locations visited.
“Speaking on the outcome of the operation, the Chairman issued a stern warning to criminal elements, stressing that the Agency would not relent in its commitment to ensuring the environmental decorum and security of lives and property across the State.
” ‘We will continue to sustain these enforcement exercises until every part of the City is free from criminal activities,” Akerele said. “Those who choose to engage in acts that threaten the serenity and security of residents should desist immediately or face the full weight of the law.”