Lagos Taskforce Promises Strict Action Against Road Offenders

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, known as the Taskforce, has promised to step up actions against road users and activities that block public roads and endanger safety in the state.

The Chairman of the Taskforce, Adetayo Akerele, shared this on Wednesday at the agency’s 2026 Stakeholders’ Engagement Programme at the Safety Arena in Bolade-Oshodi, Lagos.

While discussing the theme, “Promoting Public Safety and Environmental Best Practices in Lagos State,” Akerele mentioned that the agency would focus on enforcing the law against commercial motorcycle operators on restricted routes, street obstructions, illegal roadside mechanics, illegal ticketing, and unauthorized use of Bus Rapid Transit lanes.

He added that the enforcement would also address environmental sanitation issues, miscreants, and other activities that could compromise public safety.

Akerele said the agency's goal is not just to arrest and prosecute offenders but also to encourage compliance with Lagos State's laws. He said, “As we move forward, the Taskforce will continue to intensify lawful enforcement against Okada operations on restricted routes, environmental sanitation violations, illegal activities, street obstructions, miscreants and other conduct that threatens public safety.

“Enforcement must go hand in hand with education, sensitisation and engagement. Public safety goes beyond crime prevention. Blocked drainages, indiscriminate waste disposal, illegal structures, street trading, reckless use of public roads, shanties and unregulated industrial activities could create conditions that threaten the safety and wellbeing of residents.”

Akerele called on residents and stakeholders to understand and follow the environmental laws of the state, especially the Environmental Reform Law as amended.

He explained that the Taskforce started in 1991 to tackle poor sanitation, bad settlements, slums and shanties. He said over the years, the agency's responsibilities have grown to meet the changing needs of Lagos.

He noted that the agency now also enforces laws against environmental violations, illegal roadside mechanics, illegal ticketing, activities that block public roads, and unauthorized use of BRT lanes. This is done in partnership with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.

The chairman mentioned that stakeholder meetings held across the five divisions of the state earlier this year helped the agency gather feedback from communities and review its operations.

He urged residents to report environmental violations and impostors who pretend to be Taskforce officials. Akerele also asked the public to inform them of anyone asking for money or offering illegal immunity using the agency's name.

“Government cannot be everywhere at every time, and enforcement officers cannot monitor every street and community simultaneously. Responsible citizens therefore have a critical role to play,” he said.

At the event, the State Confidential Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Council, Comrade Omowunmi Aliu, said transport workers have been following the state government's environmental sanitation rules.

Aliu, who spoke for the state chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, also known as Sego, said the union has made sure that commercial vehicles do not leave motor parks during the monthly environmental sanitation period before the restrictions are lifted.

She said, “We have been complying. Being law-abiding citizens, NURTW is a very law-abiding organisation. Concerning this environmental problem, we are complying.”

“The union has set up committees to monitor compliance among its members and ensure that commercial vehicles remained in their garages during the sanitation exercise.”

Aliu also asked the Lagos State Government to provide more motor parks and garages to help solve the shortage of designated spaces for commercial transport operators.