The Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences Enforcement Unit conducted an extensive raid on a notorious drug hub in the Agbado-Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Alimosho Local Government this past Saturday.
The operation, spearheaded by Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Adetayo Akerele, resulted in the arrest of 124 individuals suspected of drug peddling, abuse, and other criminal activities.
The state Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, shared details of the operation in a statement released on X.com (formerly Twitter) on Sunday. According to Wahab, the task force acted on credible intelligence received in the form of an SOS, which prompted the decisive action.
“Acting on credible intelligence received in the form of SOS, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit, led by CSP Adetayo Akerele, yesterday carried out a raid operation at a black spot in the Amikanle area of Agbado-Oke-Odo LCDA in Alimosho LGA. 124 suspected drug peddlers, abusers, and criminal elements were arrested,” the statement read.
During the raid, the task force seized a variety of illicit substances, including Indian hemp, Colorado, and several bottles of codeine syrup. CSP Akerele and his team meticulously combed through the area, ensuring that all contraband materials were confiscated.
The operation did not end with the arrests and seizures. In a bid to address broader environmental concerns, the task force extended its activities to a visibility patrol across the metropolis. This phase of the operation included a sweep of Central Business District (CBD) Alausa, where street traders causing environmental nuisances along NERD C Road by the Africa Shrine in Agidingbi were apprehended, and their goods confiscated in accordance with Lagos State’s environmental sanitation laws.
Additional quantities of Colorado leaves and substances suspected to be Indian hemp were also recovered during this phase of the operation, highlighting the widespread nature of the drug issue in the area.
Commissioner Wahab emphasized the importance of such operations in maintaining law and order, as well as promoting a cleaner and safer environment for all Lagosians. “The operation was escalated into a visibility patrol across the metropolis, extending to CBD Alausa, where street traders constituting environmental nuisance along NERD C road by Africa Shrine, Agidingbi, were sacked, suspects arrested, and all wares confiscated in line with the environmental sanitation law of Lagos State,” he added.
This successful raid and subsequent patrol underscore the Lagos State government’s commitment to combating drug-related crimes and improving the living conditions of its residents. The task force’s actions send a strong message to criminal elements that such activities will not be tolerated within the state.
