LASG to clamp down on illegal traders along railway tracks

Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi has declared that the Agency is set to clamp down on all illegal traders along railway tracks across the State, noting that the heavy convergence of illegal traders of various goods around railway tracks is not only suicidal but also against the Environmental Law of the State.

He maintained that in accordance with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Law, it was totally unlawful for anyone to hawk, sell or buy goods on railway tracks including all road setbacks and walkways across the State.

In his words, “Strategically, this unusual and dangerous trading practice has led to the death of some people, especially those who were not quick enough to move away from the path of an oncoming train. The primary responsibility of any government is to protect the lives and property of the people, as such the present administration will not relinquish such enormous responsibility."

Egbeyemi, however, warned officials of both Local Government and Market Associations to desist from collecting fees from these illegal traders on railway lines around Oshodi, Mushin, Ikeja-Along, Yaba, Oyingbo and Agege as anyone caught would be severely dealt with in accordance with the Law.

In a related development and in line with the State's policy of eradicating the menace of miscreants and hoodlums, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Edgal Imohimi has directed CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi to carry out a raid on all criminal hideouts across the State.

Following the directive, the Agency over the weekend arrested 23 notorious miscreants during an overnight raid around Shitta area of Surulere and confiscated substances suspected to be Indian hemp as well as other outlawed illicit drugs such as 'Novalyn and Codeine cough syrups'.

Also, another eight members of the notorious 'Awawa Boys' cultism gang were arrested during enforcement operations carried out around Capitol, Isale-Oja and Agege.

CSP Egbeyemi regretted that most parents have abdicated their responsibility towards their children as youths are now deeply in involved in various forms of gangsterism, stressing that most of the violent crimes being committed in Lagos are being perpetrated by teenagers who lack parental care.

While maintaining that the Agency would continue to raid all areas known to be inhabited by undesirable elements across the State, he disclosed that all those that have been arrested will soon be charged to court for prosecution.