The Lagos State Taskforce has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to street traders, illegal occupants, and operators of makeshift structures along the Alaba Rago axis of the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway to vacate the area.
The directive is part of renewed efforts by the Lagos State government to enforce environmental laws and the ban on street trading across the metropolis, as stipulated in the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017, reports The Nation.
The Taskforce, working in collaboration with other enforcement agencies, announced plans to clear all illegal trading activities on highways, walkways, road medians, and setbacks along the corridor.
According to the agency, persistent complaints from motorists, residents, pedestrians, visitors entering the country through the Seme border, and environmental stakeholders prompted the planned operation. Concerns have centred on environmental degradation, traffic obstruction, safety risks, and security challenges associated with the area.
The enforcement exercise will target makeshift shops, illegal structures, mini brothels, used-plastic depots, indiscriminate waste-disposal sites, and other unregulated commercial activities that have proliferated along the expressway corridor.
Speaking during a public sensitisation and enlightenment campaign held in the area, Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, urged affected traders and occupants to relocate voluntarily before the notice expires.
He described the Alaba Rago corridor, located along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, also known as the ECOWAS Road, as a strategic route that the government could no longer allow to be overwhelmed by illegal activities and environmental violations.
“Lagos State cannot pretend or look the other way over the level of illegal activities and environmental hazards here. This situation does not reflect the status of a modern megacity. The time has come to enforce the laws and correct these abnormalities,” Akerele said.
The Taskforce chairman further noted that the government had adopted a people-oriented approach by engaging stakeholders through dialogue and sensitisation before commencing enforcement operations.
“Everyone knows that trading on highways, walkways, and setbacks is illegal. However, because of the Lagos State Government’s inclusive governance policy, we have engaged all relevant parties before taking action. After this, enforcement will commence against anyone who continues to violate the laws of the State,” he added.
Akerele warned that after the 72-hour notice expires, goods belonging to violators would be confiscated, while offenders would face legal consequences in accordance with existing laws.
The exercise is being coordinated under the supervision of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources and aims to restore environmental sanity, improve public safety, and reinforce Lagos’ status as a modern megacity.
The Taskforce reiterated the state government’s commitment to maintaining environmental order, security, and sustainable urban development in line with the administration’s THEMES Plus Agenda.
