Table of Contents
- Arrests of Suspected Robbery Syndicate
- Details of the Operation
- Items Recovered
- Cleanup of Illegal Structures
- Inter-Agency Collaboration
- Details of the Suspects
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has apprehended six individuals suspected of being part of a notorious “one-chance” robbery gang believed to be operating in the Ijora Bridge area of Lagos.
According to a statement from Adebayo Taofiq, the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at LASTMA, this operation was carried out in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force, Mobile Police, Lagos State Task Force, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, and the Nigerian Army.
The arrests, made on Thursday, October 23, 2025, were part of a joint enforcement initiative aimed at removing illegal garages, makeshift shanties, and criminal hideouts along Apapa Road, Costain, and the Ijora under-bridge area.
Sola Giwa, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, stated that this coordinated effort reflects the government’s strict policy against environmental violations and the illegal occupation of public spaces.
“This operation is part of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s comprehensive strategy to make Lagos safer, cleaner, and more livable. Criminal elements and illegal occupants still operating beneath bridges and in unauthorized areas are hereby warned to vacate immediately,” Giwa stated.
During the operation, enforcement teams recovered 77 mobile phones, two POS machines, numerous wristwatches, and other personal belongings believed to have been stolen from unsuspecting commuters and pedestrians. Authorities also seized multiple kegs of adulterated diesel and over 150 packs of expired plantain chips and cheese balls.
Giwa pointed out that the Ijora under-bridge area had turned into a center for criminal activities. “The location had become a storage facility for stolen goods and contraband. Today’s cleanup has effectively dismantled those hideouts and restored order to the corridor,” he said.
In addition to the arrests, more than 120 illegal shanties were demolished, including structures situated near St. Peter’s Catholic Nursery and Primary School on Apapa Road.
“By reclaiming these public spaces, we are reinforcing urban discipline and ensuring that vital infrastructure is not transformed into shelters for criminals,” Giwa added.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, praised the collaboration among security and enforcement agencies, describing it as a model of effective inter-agency cooperation.
“LASTMA’s responsibilities extend beyond traffic management. They include ensuring public safety, protecting transport corridors, and preventing criminal encroachments on public infrastructure,” Bakare-Oki stated.
He encouraged Lagos residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
The six suspects: Adetunji Bashiru (28), Sulaiman Kada (35), Abubakar Bala (42), Abubakar Ahmed (28), Rasaq Gbadamosi (21), and Ibrahim Yakub (23), have been handed over to law enforcement agencies for further investigation and prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the operation conducted by LASTMA?
The operation aimed to clear illegal garages, makeshift shanties, and criminal hideouts in the Ijora Bridge area, ensuring public safety and maintaining urban discipline.
What items were recovered during the operation?
During the operation, authorities recovered 77 mobile phones, two POS machines, several wristwatches, and other personal items, as well as kegs of adulterated diesel and expired food products.
How many illegal structures were demolished?
More than 120 illegal shanties were demolished during the operation, including structures around St. Peter’s Catholic Nursery and Primary School on Apapa Road.
