Lagos environmental sanitation corps condemns attacks on its officials

By Dada Jackson

The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has reiterated its commitment to rid the state of all environmental nuisances such as street trading and hawking on the major highways just as it warns the general public against any form of attacks on its operatives carrying out official duties of ensuring the general cleanliness of the state.

The Corps Marshal, CP Gbemisola Akinpelu (retd), disclosed this at the command headquarters of the agency, Bolade, Oshodi.

She said, “A street trader identified as Yusuf Usaini, 30, was apprehended at about 12:30pm today around Railway Crossing, Fagba in the Ifako Ijaye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of the state, during the daily patrol of ensuring that the state is cleared of all forms of street trading.”

The corps marshal noted that the suspect said to be hawking popcorn, upon sighting the agency’s operatives brought out dangerous weapons such as knife (dagger) and charms to attack the operatives before he was eventually subdued and brought to the agency’s headquarter for subsequent investigation and prosecution.

Akinpelu condemned these incessant attacks on its personnel, noting that such attacks could cause serious injuries or loss of lives to the officers who are out to comply with the directives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu towards ensuring that roads, walkways and road setbacks on major highways in the state are free of illegal trading activities and street hawking.

She said the suspect had been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution to serve as deterrent to others.

She appealed to market leaders and transport unions to partner with the agency in the discharge of their official duties.