CITIZENS COMPASS— The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offenses (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce), on Wednesday, said it has suppressed the activities of some criminal elements and street urchins popularly known as “Omotaku”.
The Taskforce said this was in continuation of its clean-up enforcement operations and its commitment to rid the State of the criminal elements and street urchins.
The criminal elements and street urchins have been terrorising Lagos motorists and forcing them to part with their hard-earned money, especially whenever their vehicles develop mechanical faults on the road.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said that the Taskforce has proactively taken the bull by the horns and risen to the challenge by suppressing the activities of Omotaku across the Lagos metropolis, in order to create a safe, serene, and secure Lagos of our dreams.
Speaking further, Akerele stated that within the last one week, from Thursday through the weekend up to press time today, Wednesday, 14th January, 2026, the Agency effected the arrest of several Omotaku during its sustained enforcement onslaught against street urchins who had, before now, constituted a nuisance on major roads and highways across different parts of the Lagos metropolis, before the Agency’s swift intervention.
The areas visited during the week-long operations included Bourdillon, Lekki Phase 1, Ikoyi, Lekki–Ajah Expressway, Animashahun.busstop,.Akowonjo road,Egbeda, Fadeyi busstop, Costain, Funsho Williams Avenue, Victoria Island, Apongbon, Jibowu, Yaba Phase 1, Lagos Island Palmgrove, Ojuelegba road ,Surulere and other adjoining roads on both Island and Mainland where the presence of undesirable elements popularly known as Omotaku and other street urchins was observed.
During the week-long raid exercise, a total of 281 suspects were arrested, and all suspects have since been arraigned in court. The Chairman stated that Omotaku would soon become a thing of the past in a few days to come.
Akerele admonished Lagosians, particularly motorists, to promptly reach out to the Lagos State Taskforce whenever Omotaku or other street urchins constitute a nuisance within their vicinity, and to call 09137555111 or 09138555111 for swift response.
He, however, warned those engaged in criminal activities to desist, stating that crime is not a career.
