If, like me, you are a member of the Table tennis section of the Lagos Country Club, there is a senior citizen you are better advised not to play against.

If you defeat him in the game, you must buy him a bottle of red wine; if he defeats you, the ‘prize’ is the same. You must still buy the old man a bottle of red wine!

In the same vein, if you live in Lagos and drive on Lagos roads, you are advised to avoid a tango with Okada riders, whether the normal riders or the ones who go by the fancy name of delivery men.

If you hit them, you are in trouble; if they hit you, you are in soup.

I had my baptism of fire this week!

It was on the day the old national anthem was exhumed!

I had parked my car to pick a test result across the road.

Having collected the result, I entered my car. No sooner had I sat in my car than I heard a loud sound behind me. It was clear that an object had hit my car from the rear. I got down and behold an Okada delivery man lay on the road behind my car. I looked at the bleeding man and shook my head. His colleagues who were in his entourage took him to a nearby hospital after their appeal that I should do so failed.

As to be expected, their comrades had gathered in large numbers, both the regular ones and the delivery Okadas. Traffic had built up. I took a look at my car, the back windscreen had been broken; the back bumper severed from its natural habitat and the back lights totally broken!

In the same vein, if you live in Lagos and drive on Lagos roads, you are advised to avoid a tango with Okada riders, whether the normal riders or the ones who go by the fancy name of delivery men.

I cursed under my breath.

Then, the tribe of Okada men turned to me, almost in unison: “Oga, try to help the man with some money.”

What a nerve!

I thought to myself: these guys are lucky that we are not licensed like the Americans, to carry guns.

If we were, I would have gladly shot someone and gone for confession!

There was no talk about the expenses I was going to incur in fixing my car.

How do I escape from this mob, I thought to myself.

At that point, I felt like disappearing like a fart in the desert! (Lara Wise has a copyright to that phrase!)

Their ‘Leader’, whose belly is comparable to that of a pregnant woman advised that two of his men should follow me on their motorbike while I should go and make a U-turn to meet them on the other side of the road.

My ancestors weren’t sleeping!

I started the car and my escorts were in tow: one in the front while the other was behind.

Mobolaji Bank Anthony Road was traffic-free at that hour. I did a James Bond driving and shook off my escorts!

We are in trouble!

Okada men, I hail thee!

The post EXTRA: Okada as a menace! appeared first on Frontpageng.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, announced a total ban on Okada on all highways across six Local Government Areas, LGAs, and nine Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, of the state.

Effective from June 1, 2022, the governor directed security operatives to enforce the proscription order across the listed councils.

The affected councils are Eti-Osa, Ikeja, Surulere, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, and Apapa.

The total ban order extends to all LCDAs under the listed councils.

The governor gave out the directive at a meeting with Commissioner of Police, Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, at the State House in Alausa.

The fresh Okada ban followed the February 2020 restriction placed on the activities of the commercial motorcycles.

Sanwo-Olu said the government took the decision in line with the State’s Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018 to immediately address the chaos and menace created by operations of Okada in the listed areas.

Sanwo-Olu told the police to enforce the order without compromise, sternly warning that the state government would not condone any security formation that relaxes the new ban in its jurisdiction.

His words: “After critical review of our restriction on Okada activities in the first six Local Government Areas where we restricted them on February 1, 2020, we have seen that the menace has not abated. We are now directing a total ban on Okada activities across the highways and bridges within these six Local Government and their Local Council Development Areas, effective from June 1, 2022.

“This is a phased ban we are embarking on this period, and we expect that within the short while when this ban will be enforced, Okada riders in other places where their activities are yet to be banned can find something else to do. We have given the notice now and we expect all commercial motorcycles plying the routes in the listed councils and areas to vacate the highways before enforcement begins. The enforcement will be total.”

Sanwo-Olu advised residents patronising Okada riders on highways to embrace the alternative transport schemes already provided by the government to plan their journey.

He said the government had provided Last Mile Buses, medium-capacity and high-capacity buses in the affected areas for the convenience of commuters.

The governor insisted that Okada riding on the highways remained unsafe and would no longer be tolerated.

He said the state government had been ramping up construction work on its two rail line projects to further increase the choices of commuting for residents.

He said: “We have provided Last Mile buses in the affected areas; they are working and effective. We also have medium-capacity buses and high-capacity buses working in these areas. Before the end of the year, we are also bringing the rail along these corridors with their terminals. We have provided jetties as well to provide alternatives.

“We will not sit back and watch criminally-minded people use that mode of transportation (motorcycles) to perpetrate crimes and criminality in Lagos. Lives are being lost on a daily basis, preventable accidents are happening every day and the riders are not respecting any of our traffic laws. The situation has led to a complete breakdown of law and order. This ban has come to stay and we will not tolerate any weakness in enforcement.”

Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, directed his men to ensure complete enforcement of the governor’s order in the listed councils and areas.

The post JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu orders total ban on Okada in six LGAs, nine LCDAs appeared first on Frontpageng.

The suspects were picked up in the commotion that broke out in Ojodu and Obanikoro during the enforcement carried out by the taskforce in several areas in Lagos.

No fewer than 96 commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada, operating on highways and in other restricted routes in the metropolis, were impounded in the Tuesday operation.

Also, four motorists driving against the traffic were arrested by the Anti-One Way team of the Taskforce.

It was gathered that some hoodlums teamed up with Okada riders around Ojodu Grammar School to resist the move by the taskforce to take away motorcycles seized during the enforcement.

As the hoodlums, armed with iron rods and broken bottles, approached the taskforce operatives, the policemen, led by the taskforce chairman, Shola Jejeloye, a Superintendent of Police (SP), repelled the attack, and dispersed the mobsters.

Passersby and residents scampered for safety, as the taskforce operatives chased the hoodlums.

Five suspects were arrested.

There was tension in the area for several minutes, before normalcy returned.

The Taskforce officers remained in the area for hours in a bid to ensure there was no reprisal on residents.

Also at Obanikoro, Okada riders, on sighting the enforcement team, pelted the taskforce officers with stones.

The policemen arrested four persons who took part in the attack.

One person was arrested in Ojota.

Jejeloye said the taskforce would not relent in its activities to restore sanity on the roads.

He warned commercial motorcycles illegally operating on restricted routes to stop defying the government’s restriction order, advising them to limit their activities to roads they were permitted to operate.

He said: “We are not surprised about the attack on us by some hoodlums in Obanikoro and Ojodu for carrying out the mandate given to this team by the Lagos State Government. But, this will never deter us from extending the enforcement to other areas of the states where notorious road users and Okada riders have constituted nuisance.

“We are not after the commercial motorcycles operating in areas where their activities are permitted; we are after those breaking the restriction order and motorists who flout the state’s traffic laws. This is not the first time our men would be attacked, but we will not relent in carrying out the enforcement. Ten of those who attacked us were arrested and they will be duly charged.”

The taskforce chairman maintained that the team would work round the clock during Yuletide to carry out the enforcement, warning offenders to desist from flouting the state’s traffic laws.

The post Lagos: Ten arrested for attacking taskforce over impounded motorcycles appeared first on Frontpageng.

It noted that the restriction on them from plying 10 major highways, 40 bridges and roads within six local governments and nine Local Council Development Areas, LCDA, in the state was still in force.

The state government also expressed government’s displeasure at the disobedience to the Transport Sector Reform Law (TSRL) 2018 which restricts the operations of commercial motorcycles riders known as Okada and driving against traffic, known as one way driving.

Speaking during a press conference held at Alausa in Ikeja on traffic rules violation, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, said the game was over for traffic offenders, especially the menace and impunity of commercial motorcycles and tricycles’ operators in the state.

The Commissioner said all commercial transport operators must carry out their daily activities within the approved routes in Lagos State, adding that any motorist caught driving against traffic will face the maximum penalty and will equally be charged to the court of law under the transport sector reform law of Lagos 2018.

He said: “Our Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has since his assumption of office prioritized his administration’s development agenda encapsulated as THEMES. The T stands for Traffic Management and Transportation.  In the last one and a half years, Mr. Governor has demonstrated his affirmed commitment to our roads, reform complex junctions to promote better traffic flow, invested in water and land transportation through the provision of ferries and high capacity buses.

“In spite of all the efforts of Mr. Governor to reform our transport sector, it is therefore disheartening to note a lot of our people are still going against the extant law of the state on transport operation and safe driving on our roads and in our communities. The state government prioritises the safety and security of the people. As a government, we cannot continue to watch this lawlessness develop into an uncontrollable situation.

“I say the game is over because in the last few months, we have witnessed a lot of security and safety challenges apparently as a result of the activities of unscrupulous ‘Okada riders.’ These operators do not only violate the provisions of the Transport Sector Reform Law of Lagos State, 2018 with respect to restriction of areas of operations, but perpetrate crime using their motorcycles.”

Oladeinde, while stressing the need for sanity on the roads within Lagos, said the restriction of motorcycles on certain routes in Lagos State was still in force and failure to comply with the law would attract sanctions as stipulated in the Transport Sector Reform Law, TSRL, 2018, with penalties ranging from N20, 000 to three months imprisonment.

He said: “In line with this Administration’s plan to build Lagos that works for all, we are determined to continue to engage with the various transport unions and associations of tricycle and okada operator to ensure their members cooperate with us in the process of ensuring public safety by abiding with the TSRL 2018 at all time.

“With the upsurge in the number of commercial motorcycle operators, we shall intensify our enforcement strategy. This we intend to carry out along with the various transport union leaders. We will set up a joint enforcement team to ensure that our roads are sanitised from the menace of okada riders.

“We hereby direct all law enforcement agencies; Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), Taskforce and the Nigerian Police to immediately and continuously embark on enforcement on all restricted routes.”

The Commissioner also urged the media to do more by enlightening drivers on the danger of one way driving. “Obedience to the law was paramount if we must build a state of our dreams. We all have joint responsibilities to make the state work for all,” he said.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka, implored all road users, especially commercial transport operators to be law abiding.

He urged transport unions to wake up and caution their members who flouted traffic rules, saying the government had directed law enforcement agencies to clampdown on them.

The Deputy Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Alhaji Sulyman Ojora, during the press conference assured Lagos State government of the support and cooperation of the union in ensuring that traffic offenders were brought to book.

He also advised law enforcement agencies not to trouble the law abiding members of the union, saying that NURTW members were law abiding and they were fully ready to discipline any members whenever they violated any traffic laws.

Also speaking, the representative of the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, RTEAN, Mr. Ayinde Runmokun said that most erring riders were alien to the union, saying that the union was concerned about flagrant disregard of law by some motorists and riders.

He also urged the government to carry the transport union along in the constitution of the task force for the enforcement of the law.

The post Lagos: Government reads riot act to motorcycles, tricycles operators appeared first on Frontpageng.

“It is illegal for any security operative in mufti to ride commercial motorcycles on routes where Okada and tricycles have been restricted,” the government said on Wednesday.

The pronouncement on policemen and military personnel was part of the issues discussed during a security meeting held at the State House in Marina.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu chaired the meeting, which was attended by commanders of all security formations in the state.

Briefing the press after the meeting, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said the enforcement of the restriction order would be executed with more force to completely keep Okada and tricycles away from the restricted routes.

Members of the security council, the commissioner said, frowned at a situation in which uniform men flouted the state’s Transport Sector Reform Laws, warning security operatives, especially police officers and military personnel, to stop taking passengers on their motorcycles on restricted routes.

Omotoso said: “We have just concluded the State Security Council meeting, where we reviewed the ongoing enforcement of Okada and Keke restriction order in the six Local Government Areas. Matters concerning uniform men engaging in commercial motorcycle operation came up in our discussion and there has been an order restricting them from doing that.

“Only a uniform man who is fully kitted and who rides motorcycle as his own personal mode of transportation is allowed. If any uniform man ventures into commercial motorcycle operation or Keke, the action of such a person is illegal and such persons are going to be arrested if they are caught.”

The commissioner reiterated that the state would not relax the laws restricting Okada and tricycles on the highways, praising Lagosians for standing firm behind the government in the ongoing enforcement of the restriction order.

In April, Omotoso said the state government would be assuaging the pain being felt by residents by injecting buses of different sizes and capacities into the public transportation space to serve as alternative to Okada and Keke.

“We are using this opportunity to inform Lagosians that the palliatives promised by the government will be coming very soon, most likely in April,” the Commissioner said.

Omotoso said the government was not resting on its oars in providing required infrastructure that would improve traffic situation and transportation across the state.

He disclosed that the government would be holding a ground-breaking ceremony on the long-awaited Red Line rail project, which, he said, would be held on March 25.

He added that updates would also be shared on the ongoing Blue Line rail project handling by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

On the closure of Eko Bridge, the Commissioner said the Government would work assiduously to lessen the pain of commuters plying the route.

He, however, noted that the closure of the bridge was a necessary precautionary measure taken to avert an incident that might result in loss of lives.

The commissioner urged residents to continue to support the government’s efforts at securing the state, stressing that the Sanwo-Olu administration would deploy all resources to ensure safety of lives and property in Lagos.

“About security, Lagosians should be rest assured that government is on top of the situation and that all is well. Every action we take is to show that we put the interest of Lagosians at heart and their welfare is on the front burner at all times,” Omotoso said.

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He was said to be plying Apapa, Agege and Ogun State routes.

A native of Gwoza in Borno State, he was arrested on Friday by operatives at Alagbado Police Station on enforcement of restriction order on motorcycles at Masalashi Bus Stop, Alagbado, along Lagos Abeokuta Expressway, Lagos State.

An unregistered Bajaj motorcycles which he used for his operation was impounded while peers of military camouflage and naval uniforms were recovered from him.

The suspect was also said to be in possession of fake military identity card.

Investigation was said to be ongoing to ascertain the source of the military uniforms and the link the suspect had with other criminal activities like traffic robbery among others.

He would be charged to court soon, the police said in a statement by the spokesman of the Lagos Police Command, DSP Bala Elkana.

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This is as it said some buses would be introduced as alternative means.

The announcement was made on Sunday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso.

His words:  “The little discomfort experienced by commuters on some routes due to the absence of motorcycles and tricycles is noted. This will not last as alternatives are being rolled out.

“A fleet of 65 buses will join the others on some major routes as from Monday, February 3, 2020: No less than 550 more buses are being expected. Besides, 14 ferries will be commissioned on Tuesday. This will further open up the waterways, reduce travel time on various routes and provide safe, dependable and comfortable alternatives for commuters.”

He said the government was not unaware that enforcing this directive might lead to some job losses.

“The Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, plans to announce some measures to tackle the likely effects of the order, besides the programmes of various agencies, such as the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Office of Civic Engagement, Lagos State Parks and Gardens and others,” he said.

The commissioner said the government warned those planning to unleash violence on the state because of the ongoing enforcement of the ban to have a change of heart.

“Lagosians are peace loving and law abiding people, who will not embrace any disruption of their legal activities by failed politicians hiding under the evil of unwholesome activism. The law enforcement agents have been directed to ensure that nobody takes the law into his hands. The government places a very high premium on law and order in the interest of all Lagosians.  It will not fail to act when peace is threatened,” Omotoso said.

Meanwhile, the government has praised motorcycle and tricycle operators for complying with the restriction from six local government areas, major highways and bridges.

The enforcement of the State Security Council’s order began on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

The level of compliance over the ban, it said, was over 90 %.

“In fact, some of the ride hailing companies directed their riders to obey the directive. This is commendable. The high level of compliance has shown that Lagosians agree with the government on the need to stop the danger that commercial motorcycles and tricycles have become – a big threat to safety of lives and security of our people. They should stand firm in supporting the government,” Omotoso said.

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The ban will take effect from Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, made the announcement on Monday at a press conference.

He said the decision was taken after due consultations with stakeholders.

His words:  “After consultations with stakeholders, the State Security Council, in compliance with the extant Transport Sector Reform Law 2018, has decided to commence enforcement of the law which bans the operation of Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) in the following Local Governments (LGs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

“The local governments are Apapa LG and Apapa Iganmu LCDA; Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA; Surulere LG, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs; Ikeja LG, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs; Eti-Osa LG, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs; Lagos Island LG and Lagos Island East LCDA.

“This is the first stage of the State Government’s plan to sanitize our roads and protect Lagosians from the negative effects of these illegal modes of transportation.

“The law is very clear.  Motorcycles (Okada) and Tricycles (Keke) are banned on all highways, bridges and the listed roads.”

The local governments, expressway and bridges affected are listed below:

LOCAL COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Apapa LG and Apapa Iganmu LCDA

Lagos Mainland LG and Yaba LCDA

Surulere LG, Itire-Ikate and Coker-Aguda LCDAs

Ikeja, Onigbongbo and Ojodu LCDAs

Eti-Osa LG, Ikoyi-Obalende and Iru/Victoria Island LCDAs

Lagos Island and Lagos Island East LCDA

EXPRESSWAY

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

Apapa-Oshodi Expressway

Oworonshoki-Oshodi Expressway

Lagos-Ikorodu Expressway

Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway

Third Mainland Bridge

Eti-Osa/Lekki-Epe Expressway

Lagos-Badagry Expressway

Funsho Williams Avenue

Agege Motor Road

Eti-Osa Lekki Coastal Road

BRIDGES

Iyana- Ipaja Bridge Agege

Dopemu Bridge Agege

Airport/Ikeja Bridge

Agege Motor road/oshodi Loop, Oshodi

Mushin/Isolo Link Bridge

Dorman Long Bridge

Ojuelegba Bridge

National Stadium Flyover

Apapa-Iganmu Bridge

Apapa-Ijora Link Bridge

Liverpool Bridge, Apapa

Mile 2 Bridge-Loop, Amuwo-Odofin

Okota (cele)/Ijesha Link Bridge

Apakun/Apapa-Oshodi Bridge Network

Ikorodu Road/Anthony Clover leaf Bridge

Trade Fair Flyover Bridge

Trade Fair Flyover Bridge

Festac/Amuwo-Odofin Link Bridge

2 Flyover Bridges along Alhaji Masha Road

Ojota Clover leaf Bridge

Ogudu Bridge

3rd Mainland Bridge

Maryland flyover

Ikeja General Hospital Flyover Bridge

Kodesoh Bridge, Oba Akran, Ikeja

Opebi Link Bridge

Sheraton-Opebi Bridge

Jibowu/Yaba flyover Bridge

Carter Bridge, Lagos

Bariga-Ifako Bridge

Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Alapere Bridge

Bariga/Oworonsoki Bridge

Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/Gbagada U-Turn

Apapa-Oshodi Expressway/3rd Mainland Bridge

3rd Mainland/Oworonsoki Bridge

Eko Bridge

Apongbon flyover Bridge

Cowry Bridge (Officers Mess)

Mcwen Bridge (Bonny Camp)

Marina/Ikoyi Bridge

Ikoyi/Obalende Bridge

The post Lagos bans okada, tricycles (+ list of LGs, expressway, bridges affected) appeared first on Frontpageng.

The revelation followed a four-hour Security Council meeting chaired by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and attended by all commanders of security agencies in the state.

Briefing State House reporters after the meeting, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said the Government’s delayed action against restriction of motorcycles and tricycles was informed by the need to achieve a generally acceptable solution to the menace.

Omotoso disclosed that relevant parties and stakeholders had reached out to the government with suggestions and representation that could be adopted to proffer a win-win solution on the matter.

The Security Council, the commissioner said, was considering the suggestions and recommendations submitted to the government before coming up with definite plans on the Okada menace.

He said: “We have just concluded our routine security meeting, during which issue of Okada and tricycles was discussed exhaustively. For now, no major decision will be taken on the matter. There are several factors for this development, but the main reason is to reckon with various opinions expressed by stakeholders.

“So many people have made representations to the Government concerning commercial motorcycles and tricycles, including human rights groups, unionists and traders. They came up with many reasonable observations; all their views have been collated and are being considered.

“We feel it would not be good enough for the Government to make final decision on the matter without considering the opinions of the stakeholders. That would be against the spirit of democracy for which the Sanwo-Olu administration stands.”

Decisions to be taken on the matter, the commissioner said, would reflect the views of all stakeholders and wishes of concerned residents.

Omotoso said security of lives of Lagos residents and safety of visitors remained paramount to the government, stressing that the Sanwo-Olu administration would not compromise in that regard.

According to the Commissioner, the ongoing enforcement of the extant Traffic Laws and Okada restriction would go on, pending the final decisions of the Security Council.

He added that advocacy was currently on-going to sensitise riders of Okada and tricycles on the need to obey traffic laws.

At the briefing were the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Folashade Jaji, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Moyo Onigbanjo, and Commissioner for Transport, Dr. Fredric Oladehinde.

The post Lagos: Why there’s no decision yet on okada, tricycles –Govt appeared first on Frontpageng.

It added that the task force was awaiting the directives of Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on whether to destroy them or not.

The Head, Public Affairs Unit of the agency, Mr Taofik Adebayo, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Lagos.

Adebayo said that the enforcement of the laws concerning the safety of lives regarding motorcycle riding in the state had drastically reduced the number of ‘okada’ casualties recorded in hospitals.

According to him, Sanwo-Olu, during his first 100 days in office said that he would soon give directives on what to do with the impounded bikes in line with the operations of motorcycles in the state.

“We have no less than 4,500 impounded bikes awaiting to be crushed but at present, we are awaiting the Lagos State Government’s directives with the ones we have now.

“We are not relenting and we will continue to impound motorcycles that default as we come by them,” he said.

The officer said that Lagos State being the economic hub of the country, had been attracting people from across the country.

He said that the insurgence that led to the displacement of many people in northern part of the country.

He said that this forced them to migrate to Lagos and take to the motorcycle transportation which they considered as one of the easiest businesses for them.

“Earlier in the month, we intercepted no fewer than 44 people with their bikes in an articulated vehicle coming from the northern part of the country into Lagos.”

He said that the task force had to release them because they had proper identification.

“However, there are so many illegal motorcyclists that had  slipped our inspection and scrutiny into the metropolitan city through routes that are used to smuggle goods.

“This tells you that bikes still come into the state in their hundreds in spite of arrests being made by law enforcement agencies.

“The influx of these displaced people is what is bringing an increase in the ‘okada’ business in Lagos,” he said.

Adebayo said that the laws regarding motorcycle riding in the state were not punitive in nature but corrective in order to reduce the high incidence of accidents related to motorcycle riding.

“The government did not totally ban okada but instead, restricted their activities to the inner streets of the city with a code of conduct to follow while operating within the specified streets.

“For instance, a rider is not supposed to ride without a helmet, the rider must be above 18 years, the rider must not carry anybody less than 12 years old, the rider cannot carry a woman that has a baby strapped to her back  and cannot carry a pregnant woman.

“These are the laws that guide the operations of ‘okada’ riders in the state in order to reduce ‘okada’ related accidents,” he said.

Adebayo also said that the agency had made nothing less than 400 arrests with about 200 prosecutions in the last six months to clamp down on the activities of miscreants operating around the state’s identified blackspot zones.

He, however, said that some of the arrested people who had proper identification and legitimate means of livelihood were set free once screened by the chairman of the agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi.

“We usually carry out the raids at the early hours of the day or very late at night to catch unsuspecting hoodlums when they are at their most vulnerable state.

“During such  period, there is no room to start screening and separating the innocent from the guilty but afterwards, the screening takes place and those with  valid forms of identification are set free,” he said.

Adebayo said that the raids were in line with the directive of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu,  to ensure that the state was kept safe and free from the activities of hoodlums.

“As we commence the ‘Ember’ months, we have started  a thorough raiding of black spots areas across the state. For instance, we recently raided Iyana Ipaja, Ikeja, Oshodi and Afrikan Shrine area.

“One thing discovered in the course of these raids is that most of the miscreants apprehended are teenagers between the ages of 15 and 18.

“There is an 11-year-old boy who was caught and sent to Oregun Correctional Centre for proper rehabilitation,” the officer said.

He also advised people to be careful particularly at night in areas like Akala, Obalende, Ikorodu, Bariga, Shomolu, Alimosho, Mushin which he said  were all notorious areas in the state.

“It is not only the responsibility of the task force but of all the security forces in the state to curb crimes  and bring an end to the activities of the various sects of cultists in the state.

“We work with other security agencies of government to ensure a robust enforcement of law and order in the state,” he said.

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