The Lagos state environment and special offences enforcement unit says it has arrested 40 traders for allegedly converting streets to mini-markets.
Adetayo Akerele, chairman of the agency, led a two-day raid on unauthorised stalls in parts of the metropolis.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, spokesperson of the task force, said the individuals engaged in unlawful nocturnal commercial activities, including street trading and restaurants on Alade avenue, Orishe, and Johnson streets, located off Obafemi Awolowo way in Ikeja.
“They have converted streets to mini-markets and restaurants, thereby causing serious human/vehicular traffic obstructions and serious environmental pollution along those routes and adjoining streets,” NAN quoted Abdulraheem as saying.
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The spokesperson said the suspects had also dumped waste and solid materials into drainage channels in contravention of the environmental laws of the state.
“The raid will be a continuous exercise as a step made in the interest of the citizenry who have longed for solutions to the menace of street trading,” he said.
“Some of these locations serve as safe haven for suspected criminals and they enjoy the proceeds of their criminal activities there.
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“The flooding experienced in some parts of the state is also as a result of improper disposal of waste that end up clogging the drainage channels.
“They also sell drugs indiscriminately there, which is counter-productive to the society.”
Abdulraheem urged defiant street vendors to comply with regulations by moving their businesses to authorised market spaces.
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