The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit, popularly known as the Lagos State Taskforce, has warned that it will begin arresting and prosecuting traffic and environmental offenders following a month-long public awareness campaign across the state.
The chairman of the taskforce, Adetayo Akerele, announced the planned enforcement on Thursday after a sensitisation and advocacy programme aimed at promoting traffic discipline, environmental orderliness and public safety.
The campaign, held under the theme “Towards Achieving Traffic and Environmental Orderliness and Public Safety in Lagos State: The Dos and Don’ts,” was designed to educate residents about prohibited conduct and the consequences of violating state regulations.
Akerele said the exercise had been extended to local government areas and local council development areas to ensure that residents were informed about their responsibilities under the law before stricter enforcement began.
“This educational programme has been done in other local governments. We have been doing it in other local governments and local council development areas. The need for this is just to educate the violators. After a month of this education, we will begin to arrest and prosecute any violator,” he said.
The chairman explained that the sensitisation programme was intended to address violations of Lagos State laws, particularly the Traffic Sector Reform Law of 2015 and the Environmental Reform Law of 2017.
During an awareness exercise at Oshodi Market, Akerele highlighted traffic and environmental offences that residents should avoid. He said the campaign was intended to ensure that members of the public understood the rules and could not reasonably claim ignorance of the law.
The planned crackdown forms part of the state government’s efforts to improve road safety, promote environmental sanitation and strengthen compliance with regulations governing public spaces.
Traffic violations and poor environmental practices can affect the safety and convenience of other residents, particularly in busy commercial areas where pedestrian movement, vehicle activity and waste management present ongoing challenges.
The taskforce’s approach combines public education with the threat of enforcement, giving residents a period to familiarise themselves with the rules before arrests and prosecutions commence.
However, the effectiveness of the campaign will depend on consistent enforcement and clear communication about the offences covered by the relevant laws. Fair implementation will also require that enforcement officers act within their legal powers and that alleged offenders are handled through appropriate procedures.
Akerele did not provide a detailed list of every offence that would attract arrest during the planned operation in the information supplied. Residents are therefore expected to familiarise themselves with the applicable traffic and environmental regulations.
The taskforce’s announcement signals a shift from awareness activities towards enforcement after the designated sensitisation period. The state says the overall objective is to improve compliance, protect public safety and promote greater orderliness across Lagos communities.
Deborah Adeyefa
