By DEBORAH AKPEDE

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) says it has detained more than 30 suspected miscreants, drug peddlers and other street urchins.

The Chairman of the task force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, made this in a statement by the agency’s spokesperson, Mr Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, in Lagos on Tuesday.

Akerele said that the suspects were apprehended during an enforcement operation at Obalende, Marina and other parts of Lagos Island.

He said that the exercise, which began in the early hours of Tuesday, targeted identified blackspots with a history of environmental infractions, criminal activities and other public nuisances.

“The operation covered Obalende, Marina and other areas of Lagos Island.

“The suspects were apprehended for allegedly disturbing public peace and attempting to perpetrate criminal activities in the areas.

“Some of the suspects were also allegedly involved in activities posing threats to public infrastructure, including billboards and road signs,” the chairman said.

According to him, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, marijuana, codeine, colorado and other narcotics were recovered from some of the suspects.

He said that all the suspects would be charged to court in accordance with the law.

Akerele commended natives and residents of Obalende for their surveillance efforts and active participation in driving criminal elements away from the area.

The task force boss said that active citizen participation, alongside sustained enforcement by the task force and other relevant agencies, was critical to achieving lasting environmental sanity across Lagos.

He reiterated that criminal elements and violators of environmental laws would be prosecuted in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Law of 2017.

Akerele urged residents to actively participate in determining the security architecture of their communities.

He advised residents to desist from street violence and from harbouring individuals who could undermine the peace and development of their communities.

The chairman said that the state government remained committed to a zero-tolerance approach to environmental nuisances, criminal activities and street urchins, popularly known as “Omotaku”.

He said that the enforcement operations were part of broader efforts to make Lagos cleaner, safer and more liveable for residents. (NAN)