The Lagos State Taskforce on Tuesday arrested 32 suspected street urchins, popularly known as “Omotaku,” during a major highway enforcement operation across key roads on the Island and Mainland.
The exercise, conducted on January 6, 2026, targeted individuals who obstruct traffic, harass motorists, and pose a public safety risk, as part of the Taskforce’s ongoing efforts to restore order on Lagos highways.
Areas covered included Apongbon, Fadeyi, Jibowu, Yaba Phase 1, Lagos Island, Palmgrove, Ojuelegba, Surulere, and other adjoining corridors. The suspects were reportedly stopping articulated vehicles such as petroleum tankers, trailers, lorries, trucks, and private cars without lawful justification.
Some of the arrested individuals were also found in possession of substances suspected to be hard drugs, including Indian hemp. They have been charged to court for prosecution.
Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, commended the operation, saying, “This exercise restored sanity to the affected areas. We will continue to comb all parts of the state to apprehend individuals engaged in activities that endanger lives and disrupt traffic flow.”
The Taskforce emphasized its commitment to ensuring public safety and maintaining order on Lagos roads, vowing to sustain similar operations across the state.
