By Hunvio Elizabeth OSHODI, LAGOS — Relief swept through one of Lagos busiest transport corridors on Tuesday as operatives of the Lagos S...
By Hunvio Elizabeth
OSHODI, LAGOS — Relief swept through one of Lagos busiest transport corridors on Tuesday as operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Task Force dismantled a notorious traffic robbery gang that had operated unchecked on the Bolade Bridge in Oshodi for months.
The operation followed weeks of quiet intelligence gathering and sustained surveillance, culminating in the arrest of seven young men accused of terrorising pedestrians and motorists during peak traffic periods. The suspects allegedly exploited gridlock on the bridge to snatch phones, laptops and cash from commuters trapped in slow moving vehicles or attempting to cross on foot.
The arrests were confirmed by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who said the operation was part of a renewed effort to reclaim public spaces from criminal elements and restore confidence among road users.
According to the commissioner, the suspects were caught in a carefully planned sting after security operatives monitored their movements and identified their pattern of attacks. He described the gang as specialists in traffic robbery, a crime that thrives in congested areas where commuters are most vulnerable.
Those arrested were identified as Samuel Olumide 19, Quadri Oladipupo 21, Ojo Ifabomi 23, Tunde Balogun 24, Dayo Badmus 21, Adegunlola Tayo 20 and Simon Michael 21. All are currently in custody and will be charged to court after preliminary investigations are concluded.
Wahab warned that the state government would not tolerate the conversion of bridges and highways into criminal hotspots. He said the message was clear that there would be no safe haven for crime anywhere in Lagos, adding that enforcement teams would continue to dismantle criminal cells wherever they emerge.
For regular users of the Oshodi interchange, the development has been widely welcomed. The Bolade Bridge has long been regarded as a red zone, especially in the early mornings and late evenings, with many commuters recounting repeated incidents of harassment and robbery.
Residents say the crackdown, combined with the deployment of the state new 40 billion naira CCTV system on major bridges, signals a tougher stance on street crime in 2026. Many hope the operation will bring lasting safety to the area and mark the beginning of sustained security presence across other vulnerable parts of the city.
As Lagos pushes its zero tolerance agenda for crime, Tuesday arrest stands as a strong signal that authorities are moving beyond promises to action, targeting long standing threats to commuter safety head on.
Photo Credit: Lagtaskforce
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