Fifteen people were arrested for blocking the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway during a police crackdown on illegal structures and roadside trading at the Ifo axis. The operation, carried out by officers from Ifo Division under the directive of Ogun State Commissioner of Police Bode Ojajuni, targeted traders who had set up makeshift stalls and displayed goods on the highway. DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the police command's spokesperson, said the enforcement was part of the ongoing "No Traffic Gridlock" initiative and took place on Friday in Ota. Abekoko and Old Bank sections of the expressway were cleared of planks, shanties, and other obstructions, with over six trucks used to haul away seized items. Babaseyi confirmed that those arrested defied lawful orders and breached environmental laws, and would be prosecuted after investigations. The Commissioner praised the officers involved and warned that future violations would attract legal consequences.
The arrest of 15 people over roadside obstructions shows the state's willingness to enforce order, but the recurring chaos on the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway suggests enforcement is reactive, not sustained. If Bode Ojajuni's "No Traffic Gridlock" operation were truly effective, such mass clearings wouldn't be necessary every few months. The real issue isn't the lack of police action—it's the absence of a long-term plan for traders and commuters who depend on that corridor daily. Without designated markets or alternative routes, today's cleared highway will likely be clogged again next week.
