Fifteen people were arrested during a police operation to clear illegal structures and street obstructions along the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway in Ifo, Ogun State. The exercise, carried out on Friday by the Ogun State Police Command, targeted traders and vendors whose wares and shanties have long blocked traffic on the Abekoko and Old Bank axis. Directed by Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni, the crackdown formed part of the "No Traffic Gridlock" initiative aimed at easing congestion and restoring free movement on the highway. According to Police Public Relations Officer DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, over six trucks were used to remove dismantled planks, makeshift shops, and seized goods. Those arrested violated environmental laws and disobeyed lawful police directives, and will be charged in court after investigation. Babaseyi confirmed that both illegal trading displays and unauthorised structures were cleared during the operation. Ojajuni praised the officers' conduct and reiterated that anyone obstructing public roads would face legal consequences. He urged traders, transporters, and residents to abide by regulations for the sake of public safety and efficient traffic flow.
Clearing fifteen arrests and six truckloads of debris in one operation shows the scale of neglect that had been normalised on the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway. Bode Ojajuni's enforcement, while overdue, reveals how deeply informal encroachment has embedded itself into critical infrastructure. For commuters and traders alike, this disruption signals that unchecked occupation of public roads now carries real consequences. Whether the gains hold depends on consistent follow-up, not just one high-visibility sweep.
