•Railway on fire
Suspected miscreants and street urchins yesterday set parts of the Fagba railway corridor in Lagos ablaze in a desperate attempt to evade arrest during a clean up enforcement by the Lagos State Taskforce.
The incident occurred during an early morning raid targeted at criminal hideouts along the corridor and adjoining communities in the Agege axis, including Alfa Nla, Okekoto and Pen Cinema, reports The Nation.
The Taskforce said the corridor had become a hub for criminal activities, ranging from robbery and rape to cultism, drug peddling and the operation of illegal brothels allegedly involving underage persons. Residents had also complained of attacks on moving trains, including the stoning of passengers.
Acting on these concerns, the agency launched a coordinated operation led by its Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, as part of its zero tolerance campaign against crime and environmental infractions.
Officials said the operation met resistance at the Fagba corridor, where some suspects reportedly set makeshift structures and parts of the rail corridor on fire to create confusion and escape arrest. The fire threatened nearby facilities, including a filling station and a commercial bank in the area.
The situation, however, was brought under control following the intervention of operatives of the Taskforce, with support from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which contained the blaze and prevented further damage.
Several suspects were arrested in connection with the arson and other alleged offences.
The Taskforce said those apprehended would be prosecuted in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
Akerele, who spoke after the operation, warned youths against engaging in criminal activities.
“Crime is not a career. We urge young people to channel their energy into lawful and productive ventures,” he said.
He added that the enforcement was part of sustained efforts to dismantle criminal enclaves and restore public safety across the state.
