The culprits were arrested for allegedly breaking government seals and assaulting enforcement officers after committing environmental infractions.
37 individuals, comprising 23 males and 14 females have been arrested by the Lagos State government.
The incident happened at Kodesoh, Ikeja, axis of the state.
They were arrested for allegedly breaking government seals and assaulting enforcement officers after committing environmental infractions.
The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who disclosed this on X today, May 29, said the suspects, along with others still at large, had attacked a patrol team from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI/LAGESC).
The team had advised street traders to remove their wares displayed on walkways and roadsides and to stop indiscriminate dumping of refuse. He mentioned that during the operation, some traders resisted the directive, assaulted a KAI officer, and forcibly seized his phone. In response, all stalls erected on the walkways and roadside were sealed.
"23 male and 14 female persons were on Thursday arrested for breaking government seal and assaulting government enforcement agents after committing environmental infractions at Kodesoh, Ikeja.
The arrested persons and others at large had on Saturday at about 1400hrs attacked the patrol team of KAI/LAGESC on patrol after being advised to remove their wares which was displayed on the walkways and roadside and indiscriminate refuse dumping.
In the process of the patrol operation, some of the traders resisted the directive and also brutalized a KAI officer on lawful duty and also seized his phone.
All the stalls erected on the walkways and roadside were sealed but in a defiant action, all the government seals were removed and the traders resumed trading.
The stalls were resealed and the offending traders were arrested.
They will all prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws of the state."