By Peter Dansu In the wake of the recent tragic accident at Atura that claimed several lives, the Lagos State Government has swung into ac...
By Peter Dansu
In the wake of the recent tragic accident at Atura that claimed several lives, the Lagos State Government has swung into action, dismantling illegal checkpoints along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway in a bold move to improve road safety and ease traffic congestion.
Leading the operation on Monday was the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Hon. Ibrahim Layode, who coordinated a high-powered joint task force comprising officials from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies. The enforcement team also had the backing of the Lagos State Government and traditional institutions, with a delegate from the Akran of Badagry in attendance.
The clampdown came after a high-level security meeting between the commissioner and commanding officers of two Nigerian Army formations, senior police officers, and other stakeholders, following growing concerns over the role of illegal checkpoints in causing avoidable road crashes.
During the enforcement exercise, three unauthorised customs checkpoints located in Mowo were dismantled with the full cooperation of the Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Seme Area Command, who was on ground to oversee compliance.
Motorists violating traffic rules—such as driving against traffic and reckless speeding—were either cautioned or apprehended by the team. These actions, officials said, are aimed at curbing the dangerous behaviours contributing to frequent crashes on the expressway.
At the Gbaji axis, Commissioner Layode instructed that the space occupied by security operatives be reduced immediately to allow for freer movement of vehicles and goods.
Speaking to reporters after the exercise, Layode said the operation was part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s directive to restore sanity along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway and prevent needless loss of lives.
“We’ve been receiving disturbing reports that some of these illegal checkpoints are directly contributing to gridlock and fatal accidents,” Layode said. “The incident at Atura is a painful reminder of why urgent action is needed. We can no longer afford to lose lives to preventable causes.”
He added that the Governor had directed immediate consultations with relevant military and police formations to address the menace. These included meetings with commanders from the 243 Battalion, 15 Engineer Regiment of the Nigerian Army, Seme Border Patrol Unit of the Nigeria Police, Area K Commander, and the DPOs of Badagry and Morogbo divisions.
“All stakeholders have expressed full support for the governor’s directive,” he said. “They also pledged to restructure operations at existing, authorised checkpoints to reduce congestion and enhance security without endangering lives.”
Layode thanked the various security agencies for their cooperation and assured that the resolutions would be communicated to the governor for further action.
This operation also aligns with the federal government’s recent move to address the growing concern of multiple roadblocks across the country. On May 8, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu launched a Presidential Task Force to eliminate redundant checkpoints obstructing the free movement of people and goods along major corridors, including the Lagos–Seme route.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, disclosed this initiative during a visit to the Nigeria–Benin Republic border in Seme, stressing its importance to regional trade and citizen safety.
With Monday’s action, the Lagos State Government has sent a clear message: illegal roadblocks will no longer be tolerated on the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.
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