LAGOS TASK FORCE CONCLUDES STATEWIDE SENSITIZATION CAMPAIGN AGAINST TRAFFIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL VIOLATIONS ACROSS MAJOR ROADS IN LAGOS

…CSP Akerele Leads “Warning Before Enforcement” Exercise to Promote Traffic and Environmental Orderliness

In a renewed effort to strengthen public safety, promote environmental sustainability, and ensure traffic orderliness across Lagos State, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force) has concluded its statewide public sensitisation and advocacy campaign with a grand finale held across strategic locations, including Oshodi, Ikeja, Iyana Ipaja, Iba, Ojo, Kosofe and Lagos Island Local Government and Local Council Development Areas of the state.

The campaign, themed **“Towards Achieving Traffic and Environmental Orderliness and Public Safety in Lagos State: The Dos and Don’ts,”** was earlier conducted across the Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of Lagos State as part of the government’s sustained efforts to educate residents on their civic responsibilities and encourage compliance with traffic and environmental regulations.

The grand finale, which took place on Thursday, October 15, 2026, featured coordinated public enlightenment activities across the designated locations, with officials of the Task Force engaging Lagosians, motorists, commercial drivers, street traders, and other road users on the importance of maintaining traffic discipline, environmental sanitation, and public order.

Leading the exercise, the Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force), CSP Adetayo Akerele, personally led his team on the Oshodi axis of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, where they engaged members of the public in a Warning Before Enforcement campaign aimed at promoting voluntary compliance before the commencement of enforcement actions.

During the exercise, CSP Akerele and his team sensitised motorists, drivers, street traders, and other road users on the need to comply with traffic regulations, refrain from obstructing pedestrian walkways and public spaces, and avoid activities capable of impeding the free flow of traffic or compromising environmental cleanliness.

The Chairman emphasised that the campaign was designed to complement the enforcement responsibilities of the agency by ensuring that residents are adequately informed about relevant laws and regulations and given the opportunity to correct identified violations.

He noted that the statewide initiative reflects the commitment of the administration of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to building a cleaner, safer, and more orderly Lagos through public enlightenment, stakeholder collaboration, and effective enforcement of existing laws.

According to CSP Akerele, the decision to take the sensitisation exercise directly to major roads, commercial centres, and densely populated areas was informed by the need to reach residents where traffic and environmental challenges are most pronounced.

He stressed that sustainable traffic management and environmental orderliness cannot be achieved through enforcement alone, noting that the cooperation of motorists, transport unions, traders, market associations, community leaders, and residents remains essential to achieving lasting results.

The Task Force Chairman further warned that public roads, pedestrian walkways, and other public infrastructure must not be converted into unauthorised trading spaces or used in ways that obstruct movement and endanger public safety.

He urged commercial drivers and other road users to observe traffic rules, while street traders were advised to conduct their businesses only in permitted locations and refrain from encroaching on roadways, walkways, and other public spaces.

CSP Akerele explained that the Warning Before Enforcement approach underscores the agency’s commitment to public enlightenment and voluntary compliance, while making it clear that continued disregard for relevant laws would attract appropriate enforcement measures.

The agency reiterated that the statewide sensitisation programme, which commenced with engagements across the various LGAs and LCDAs, was designed to deepen public awareness, promote responsible citizenship, and strengthen cooperation between the government and residents in addressing traffic congestion, environmental violations, and other activities that undermine public order.

The successful conclusion of the campaign with the grand finale across Oshodi, Ikeja, Iyana Ipaja, Iba, Ojo, and Kosofe marks another step in the Lagos State Government’s efforts to institutionalise a culture of compliance and shared responsibility for public safety and environmental sustainability.

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force) called on all Lagosians to heed the warnings and guidance provided during the exercise, stressing that maintaining a safe, clean, and orderly environment is a collective responsibility.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining public sensitization, stakeholder engagement, and professional enforcement in support of the State Government’s vision of a safer, cleaner, and more orderly Lagos.

AbdulRaheem Gbadeyan
Director, Public Affairs
Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force)
Lagos State