Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Unit has arrested 16 miscreants believed to have masterminded violence and robbing of commuters in Iyana Cele and Iyana Isolo.
The miscreants, were accused of capitalizing on the peaceful ‘no work’ protest embarked upon by drivers of commercial buses on Oshodi – Mile 12 Expressway to unleash mayhem on innocent commuters. They were also accused of molesting passersby and destroying public facilities.
It was learnt that while the drivers protesting the installation of road signage on roads that hitherto served as bi – directional ways as One – way, the suspected hoodlums used the occasion to unleash mayhem on innocent commuters on the axis.
The miscreants set bonfire on Mile 2 – Oshodi Expressway prevented vehicular activities on the busy highway thus forcing commuters to resort to trekking.
Confirming their arrest, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye, who was in the area to maintain law and order as well as listen to some of the aggrieved protesters, called for calm that government would address their grievances.
Jejeloye said that no official of Lagos State Taskforce operates between Toyota and Mile 2, adding that the agency is presently rejigging its operation in order to prevent reported incidences of illegal Taskforce operatives in the metropolis. According to him, the agency had listened to all complaints against the officials of the agency, adding that genuine complaints would be addressed accordingly.
It was learnt that the drivers decided to protest the installation of road signage on roads that used to serve as bi – directional ways as One – way. The miscreants who set bonfire on Mile 2 – Oshodi Expressway prevented vehicular activities on the busy highway thus making commuters to resort to trekking.
The miscreants arrested include: Lekan Fatai (29), Tosin Ajakaye (32), Sakiru Lanre (38), Lekan Salaudeen (36), Hakeem Oyetoro (47), Daniel Adeojo(38), Ramon Moshood (30), Lekan Nureni (37), Okolawon Oluwaseun (39),Olajide Qudus (24), Uchenna Idima (28), Dada Hamid (23), Tega Monday (28)Rafiu Pelumi (20) and Wike Odigbi (27).
Jejeloye also said that machetes, charms, cudgels and other harmful weaponsecovered from the miscreants.