LAGOS ENVIRONMENTAL TASKFORCE ARRESTS 26 FOR EXTORTION, CLEARS ILLEGAL SETTLEMENTS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Lagos State Environmental Task Force on Tuesday arrested 26 suspects for extorting money from cart pushers who were illegally disposing of waste at the Orile Under Bridge, while also dismantling unlawful settlements along the Coastal Road.
According to the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were facilitating indiscriminate waste dumping in exchange for cash. Acting on credible intelligence, taskforce operatives launched a raid at about 2:45 p.m. to dislodge hoodlums extorting cart pushers.
“Following credible reports that hoodlums had taken over the Orile Under Bridge and were extorting money from cart pushers who dump refuse illegally in the area, the Environmental Task Force carried out a raid today. During the operation, 26 suspects were arrested. Some of them admitted to collecting money from cart pushers in exchange for allowing indiscriminate dumping of waste,” Wahab said.
The suspects have been taken into custody for further investigation and prosecution in line with the law.
Earlier that morning, at approximately 8:00 a.m., taskforce operatives intensified urban regeneration efforts along the Coastal Road, where hoodlums had converted road setbacks into makeshift dwellings with wooden sheds. The illegal structures were dismantled, and items stored along the roadside were removed.
“We will not allow public infrastructure to be hijacked for illegal activities. Enforcement will remain consistent and sustained across the State,” Wahab added.
The operation follows ongoing enforcement by the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA). It was reported on Monday that LAWMA had seized several waste carts and arrested an individual during early morning operations on Lagos Island, targeting unauthorized waste disposal. Similar crackdowns were carried out in January along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, Ojo, as part of efforts to curb environmental degradation.
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