- To Prosecute Okada Rider For Assault
The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has demolished two illegal Mechanic Villages and evicted their occupants at Festac, opposite Area E Police Station as well as those under power lines in Maroko, in furtherance of the State Governments’ commitment to safeguard the lives of its citizenry and ensure safe environment based on the existing masterplan.
Speaking on the exercise, which took place simultaneously during the weekend, the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Shola Jejeloye, said several notices had earlier been served on the illegal occupants at both locations but they refused to comply, hence the Agency took the drastic measure to save the environment from further degradation.
The Chairman pointed out that the exercise was necessary to further help beautify the axis and also curb the criminal activities of hoodlums who usually use such locations as a haven after perpetrating their nefarious activities.
In his words: “Countless notices had been served to occupants and operators of the illegal mechanic villages without compliance. These places are also being used as hideouts or shields by criminal elements. But with this new development criminality would be reduced to the minimum in both axis”.
“Also, any human activities under the Powerlines are suicidal and no responsible government will watch her citizenry die an avoidable and careless death without taking a precautionary measure to put a stop to it”, Jejeloye noted.
He revealed that the Maroko Powerlines have been earmarked by the State Government for a beautification project in line with the T.H.E.M.E.S. Agenda.
CSP Jejeloye assured that the State Government would move into the two locations immediately to begin the developmental plans that the sites were originally mapped out for, promising that shanties and illegally occupied land in the State will no longer be a hiding place for criminal elements.
He added that the Taskforce has also initiated discussions with relevant Government Agencies in ensuring the allocation of a large expanse of land for mechanic villages in all the nooks and crannies of the State, particularly around the Ibeju-Lekki axis to discourage haphazard and illegal development of mechanic villages.
In a related development, officials of the Lagos State Taskforce have arrested a motorcyclist for assaulting personnel attached to the Agency.
The suspect, one Peter Iorsashe, was arrested recently while plying the restricted route along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, but when accosted by the men of the Agency, he resorted to violence.
The Chairman informed that no form of intimidation against his men will be entertained, declaring that the suspect who was arrested for assaulting the officer will soon be charged to court.
“I hope his arrest and subsequent arraignment will serve as a deterrent to others who are nursing the idea of resisting arrest or resorting to violence even after being found wanting. We will carry on with our job diligently and no form of resistance from recalcitrant offenders, especially Okada riders, will be accepted”, Jejeloye stated.
AG/TMS/OS
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