Task Force Arrests Notorious Kingpin, 15 Others in Lagos

• Impounds 85 cars, 19 motorcycles

Chiemelie Ezeobi

The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offenses Unit has arrested a notorious kingpin, one Tunde Aigboje popularly called ‘tallest’ and his15 other gang members who usually terrorize residents and motorists around Gbagada and Oworonshoki area of the state.

Confirming the arrests, the Spokesman of task force, Adebayo Taofiq, said the suspects were picked up during an operation aimed at clearing Gbagada of all illegal shanties constructed around dumpsites by hoodlums and miscreants.

He said the operation was carried out after serving due notice as requested by the law but met stiff resistance from the hoodlums and miscreants.

He said the hoodlums, who attacked the policemen attached to the task force and paramilitary personnel with cutlasses, guns and other lethal weapons, also injured an officer, Mr. Duncan Daniel.

The victim, who had his five fingers decimated with bottles and cutlasses, was rushed to Lagos State General Hospital Emergency Unit at tollgate.

He was however referred to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, for urgent surgery on his left hand.

The task force led by Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police, said it acted on petitions from residents of Gbagada and Oworonshoki who revealed that the hoodlums use the dumpsite as a hideout from where they carried out criminal activities at night by robbing residents.

Taofiq said with the “Light up Lagos Initiative, there is no more hide out for criminals as everywhere including under bridges have been illuminated.

“The agency hereby enjoined members of the public to report immediately if they notice any strange moves around their vicinity.”

In another development, the taskforce said it has impounded more than 85 private and commercial vehicles, including 19 motorcycles at Club Road, Ikoyi, for illegal parking causing traffic obstructions around the area.

He said, “These 19 motorcycles were impounded for plying restricted routes around Ikoyi area, while the officials of task force demolished 15 illegal shanties.
“It is hereby issued that every security personnel across the state must comply with the Lagos State Traffic Laws of 2012 or have his or her vehicles or motorcycles impounded.”