The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit on Wednesday unveiled a dedicated anti-crime patrol unit aimed at strengthening enforcement operations and curbing rising incidents of criminality across the state.
The initiative was announced at the agency’s headquarters in Bolade, Oshodi, where the Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said the new unit would serve as a rapid response team to confront emerging security threats and environmental violations.
The development comes in the face of sustained efforts by the state government to reinforce internal security architecture, particularly in densely populated urban corridors where incidents of street crime, drug peddling, and disorderly conduct have persisted despite ongoing enforcement drives.
Akerele said the establishment of the unit became necessary to flush out criminal elements and restore order in identified flashpoints. He explained that the team would operate on a standby basis, with the capacity to respond swiftly to distress calls and intelligence reports.
According to him, the unit has been mandated to arrest and facilitate the prosecution of offenders involved in drug trafficking, street urchins, and the activities of suspected “area boys,” as well as raids on criminal hideouts. He added that the team would also address environmental infractions such as indiscriminate waste disposal, attacks on government officials, quack practices, and the activities of “one chance” robbery syndicates.
He said the agency would intensify surveillance and patrol operations across the state, noting that enforcement would be sustained and intelligence-driven.
“We will be all out to stamp out criminal activities in the state this year. No stone will be left unturned to compel offenders to desist or leave Lagos,” Akerele said.