The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, popularly known as the Task Force, says it arrested 14,087 suspects and impounded 16,625 motorcycles across the state between June 2024 and June 2025.
Chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, made this known on Tuesday during a media parley in Lagos, marking his one-year anniversary in office.
According to Akerele, the arrests were made in various crime-prone areas including Oshodi, Mushin, Iju Ishaga Railway, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ikoyi, Obalende, and Marina.
“Following detailed screening, 1,287 suspects were released, while 12,999 were charged to court.
This has significantly reduced criminal activity in these areas,” he stated.
He also disclosed that 1,019 vehicles were impounded in locations such as Victoria Island, Apapa, Ikeja, and Agege Motor Road, with several forfeited to the state by court order.
In the agency’s crackdown on street trading, 418 hawkers were arrested in areas like Ikeja, Obalende, Ikoyi, Eko Hotel axis, and Ipaja, with their goods confiscated to enhance public safety and maintain order.
“Additionally, 1,786 illegal structures and shanties were demolished in places such as Ogombo, White Sand, Mile 2, Fagba, Epe, Oworonshoki, and Agege.
These efforts helped reduce health and security risks in the affected communities,” Akerele noted.
Highlighting a major enforcement milestone, he said the number of impounded commercial motorcycles increased dramatically—rising from 6,915 in 2023 to 16,625 in the past year.
“Our key enforcement zones included 2nd Rainbow, FESTAC, Badagry Motorway, Lagos Island, Ikeja, Agege, Iyana Iba, Apapa, and Ipaja.
These actions are in line with the state government’s ongoing ban on motorcycles on major highways and restricted routes,” he said.
The task force also launched a new citywide clean-up operation in April 2025, targeting miscreants, street urchins, drug addicts, and suspected criminals. The operation, conducted at least twice a week in the early hours, led to 2,276 arrests.
After screening, 222 individuals were released, while 2,154 were arraigned.
“This initiative has helped restore law and order in critical parts of Lagos,” Akerele said.
Reflecting on his first year as head of the agency, Akerele thanked the media and stakeholders for their support, describing the occasion as “a time to reflect, reset, and recommit to building a safer, cleaner Lagos.”
He added, “We count on your continued support, guidance, and coverage as we intensify our efforts across the state.”