Lagos Taskforce impounds 16,625 motorcycles, arrests 14,087 suspects in one year

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Taskforce) has reeled out its achievements in one year.

The Agency said it arrested 14,087 suspects from various criminal black spots across the state between June 2024 and June 2025, disclosing a significant increase in enforcement against commercial motorcycles, with 16,625 motorcycles impounded over the past year, up from 6,915 in 2023 and early 2024.

Chairman of Lagos Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, disclosed this during a media parley on Tuesday in Lagos, held in commemoration of his one-year anniversary as head of the task force.

Akerele said the arrests were made in areas including Oshodi, Mushin, Iju Ishaga Railway, Lagos Island, Lagos Mainland, Ikoyi, Obalende, and Marina, among others.

He said, “After thorough screening, 1,287 suspects were released, while 12,999 were arraigned in court. This resulted in a marked reduction in criminal activities in these areas.”

Akerele added that the agency also impounded 1,019 vehicles from key locations such as Victoria Island, Apapa, Ikeja, and Agege Motor Road, with several of them forfeited to the state through court orders.

In the same period, Akerele the task force boss said 418 street hawkers and traders were arrested in locations like Ikeja, Obalende, Ikoyi, Eko Hotel area, and Ipaja, noting that their goods were confiscated in a bid to improve public safety and urban order.

“1,786 shanties were demolished in areas such as Ogombo, White Sand, Mile 2, Fagba, Epe, Oworonshoki, and Agege.”

“These efforts have restored order and mitigated health and security risks in those communities,” Akerele said.