The Lagos State Government has issued a 72-hour quit notice to street traders, illegal occupants, and operators of unauthorised structures along the Alaba Rago corridor of the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway, ahead of a planned enforcement operation aimed at restoring order, improving public safety, and reclaiming public spaces.
The government said the directive is part of ongoing efforts to eliminate environmental nuisances, enforce urban regulations, and address persistent violations that have continued to undermine environmental and infrastructural development across the state.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, Adetayo Akerele, during a sensitisation and public enlightenment campaign held for traders, residents, and other stakeholders operating within the affected corridor.
Akerele explained that the exercise is not a sudden action but part of a broader enforcement strategy to ensure that major transportation routes remain free from illegal activities that obstruct traffic flow and pose risks to public safety.
According to him, the operation will be carried out in collaboration with relevant agencies and will target all forms of illegal trading and unauthorised occupation of public spaces, including activities on highways, road medians, walkways, drainage setbacks, and other restricted areas prohibited under Lagos State environmental laws.
He noted that the government had received repeated complaints from motorists, pedestrians, residents, and environmental stakeholders over the deteriorating condition of the Alaba Rago axis, which has become heavily congested due to unregulated commercial activities and the spread of illegal structures.
Akerele added that the corridor has gradually turned into a hub for environmental violations and public nuisance, creating challenges for traffic management, sanitation, and security, while also projecting a negative image of the state.
He further stressed the strategic importance of the Lagos–Badagry Expressway, describing it as a major economic corridor and international gateway linking Nigeria to neighbouring West African countries through the Seme border.
According to him, the current state of the corridor is unacceptable given its status as a key entry point for travellers, traders, and tourists.
“The Alaba Rago corridor has gradually become overwhelmed by illegal structures, roadside trading activities and environmental abuses that are inconsistent with the vision of Lagos as a modern and globally competitive megacity,” he said.
Akerele disclosed that the enforcement will focus on dismantling makeshift shops and illegal structures occupying public spaces, as well as removing roadside traders, illegal markets, mini brothels, used plastic collection points, storage depots, and sites used for indiscriminate waste disposal.
He said many of these activities obstruct both vehicular and pedestrian movement and have contributed to environmental degradation and public health concerns in the area.
“Lagos State cannot continue to overlook the level of illegal activities and environmental hazards here. This situation does not reflect the status of a modern megacity. The time has come to enforce the law and correct these abnormalities,” he stated.
Akerele emphasised that the state government remains committed to balancing enforcement with public engagement, noting that a stakeholder-driven approach was adopted before the decision to commence clearing operations.
He explained that several rounds of consultations, sensitisation campaigns, and awareness programmes had already been conducted to inform affected persons of the illegality of their activities and the need to relocate to approved locations.
“Everyone knows that trading on highways, walkways and setbacks is illegal. However, because of the Lagos State Government’s people-oriented approach, we engaged all relevant parties before taking action,” he said. “After this, enforcement will commence against anyone who continues to violate the law.”
The operation is being coordinated by the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources under Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab, as part of the government’s broader urban renewal and environmental sustainability agenda.
Akerele warned that once the 72-hour ultimatum expires, enforcement teams will move into the area to remove all illegal structures without further notice.
He added that goods and property found in violation of the law may be confiscated, while offenders could face prosecution under relevant state regulations.
The Taskforce chairman reiterated that the government will not relent in its efforts to protect public infrastructure, maintain environmental order, and ensure compliance with laws governing the use of public spaces.
He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to the THEMES Plus Agenda, stressing that environmental cleanliness, urban order, public safety, and sustainable development remain central to Lagos State’s development goals.