Suspected miscreants on Thursday reportedly set parts of the Fagba railway corridor in Lagos State on fire while attempting to evade arrest during an enforcement operation by the Lagos State Task Force.
The agency confirmed the incident in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Raheem Gbadeyan, explaining that the raid was part of ongoing efforts to clear the corridor of criminal elements and illegal structures.
According to the task force, the area had become a hotspot for various crimes, including robbery, rape, cultism, drug peddling, operation of illegal brothels, and attacks on moving trains.
“In continuation of ongoing clean-up enforcement operations, the Lagos State Task Force recorded a major incident at the Fagba Railway Corridor, where suspected miscreants set parts of the area ablaze in a desperate attempt to resist arrest and evade law enforcement,” the statement read.
The agency further noted that the corridor had long been under surveillance due to repeated reports of criminal activities, including the stoning of moving trains and passengers.
The enforcement exercise, which commenced early on Thursday, was led by the Chairman of the agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele. It covered several locations, including Alfa Nla, Okekoto, and Pen Cinema in the Agege axis, as well as the Fagba railway corridor.
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During the operation, some suspects reportedly resisted arrest and escalated tensions by igniting fire in parts of the corridor, posing a threat to nearby structures such as a filling station and a bank branch.
However, the fire was quickly contained through the joint efforts of task force operatives and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, preventing a larger disaster and restoring calm to the area.
The task force stated that all arrested suspects would be prosecuted under the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
Addressing the development, Akerele cautioned young people against engaging in criminal activities.
“Crime is not a career. We urge young people to desist from criminal acts and embrace lawful means of livelihood,” he said.
The agency added that the raid is part of continuous operations aimed at dismantling criminal hideouts and improving safety across Lagos State.