Lagos State Taskforce has raided the popular Fela Shrine, several notorious black spots known for illegal drug peddling, hooliganism, and criminal activities around Aminkanle Market, NerdC Street by African Fela Shrine in Agidingbi Area of Ikeja, and environs, arresting at least 124 suspects in the process.
The suspects were alleged to have converted the area to trading pavilion for hard drug markets, restaurants, liquor- pubs, located on road, thereby causing serious human/vehicular traffic obstructions as well as serious environmental nuisance and attendant health risk on residents.
The night raid, led by the Chairman of the agency, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Adetayo Akerele, took place late at the weekend during the peak period when the illegal drug peddlers and street traders carry out their nefarious activities.
Their activities, he said also contravene the laid down environmental laws of the state through indiscriminate and unguided use of drugs, disposal of waste materials into the gutters, environmental nuisance which are likely to cause breach of peace in the metropolis.
Akerele described the raids which will be a continuous exercise, as a step made in the interest of the general public who have petitioned and sent several complaints over the menace of those suspected drug addicts, peddlers, street traders which also encourages criminality around the African Shrine, belonging to the popular Afro Beat Maestro, late Fela Anikulapo- Kuti and run by his family members, in the area.
Some of the locations he maintained serve as safe haven for criminals where they also live and raise up families.
Akerele stressed that; “The activities of these suspected criminals at Aminkanle Area of Agbado, Jobi Fele Road by African Shrine, and NerdC Street, especially at night is dangerous to humanity at all levels. The clean-up become necessary in the interest of environmental serenity, safety, sanity and maintenance of Lagos State’s Mega City status.
“They sell all manner of drugs indiscriminately there which is counter-productive to the society and they also contribute immensely to traffic build-up on adjoining roads at night when workers who have spent all day at work still shave to spend hours to get home. It is unfair to residents of this area and we will ensure that it is completely stamp out.”
Akerele reiterated the stance of Lagos State Government and the State Commissioner of Police Mr. Fayoade Adegoke, who maintained that all hands must be on deck to ensure that all notorious black spots known for high level criminality in the state becomes a thing of the past.
He disclosed that the agency is working hard to ensure that the environment is preserved as prescribed in-line with the THEMES PLUS agenda of the State Government.
The chairman, therefore, appealed to all other criminally minded individuals or groups to desist from the acts or face the wrath of the laws.
Akerele therefore, urged residents who have useful tips concerning black-spots, illicit trading on hard drugs or any other useful information on environmental infractions to contact the agency through the social media handles or come forth with them to the Headquarters of the agency at Bolade, for appropriate action.
Meanwhile, the taskforce boss revealed that a total of 124 suspects were arrested and carefully screened and those found wanting will be taken to Magistrate Court for prosecution on Monday.