Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday presided over the monthly Security Council Meeting at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, with an assurance that law enforcement agencies will intensify the war against street trading as well as ensure the Road Traffic Law is enforced to the letter.
Briefing Government House Correspondents after the meeting, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said the meeting discussed various issues bordering on street trading, robbery in traffic, influx of elements being taken as Boko Haram terrorists and some other issues, with a way of finding lasting solution.
The Department of State Services (DSS) announced last week that suspected Boko Haram members were arrested in Lagos.
On strategies being put in place to prevent armed groups from infiltrating the state, Owoseni said: “It is important that we do not allow any form of armed groups to come into the state before reacting. This is why we have put in place proactive measures such as constant raids on dark spots and criminal hide outs as well as random checks at entry points into the state.”
He however urged all law abiding citizens to continue to go about their legitimate business without fear of molestation.
The Police Commissioner also assured that the section of the Traffic Law as it related to restriction of movement of trailers and articulated vehicles between the hours of 6am to 9pm will be enforced in a manner that will not impede commercial activities in the state.
He however said that Section 2(1) of the law exempts trucks conveying petroleum products and passenger vehicles.
Owoseni said the meeting has resolved to ensure the government enforces the laws against street trading, most especially the truck drivers complying with the existing laws.
“We shall ensure we enforce the law, most especially with the truck drivers complying with the extant laws and also ensure that extant laws on street trading is enforced, with regards to that we looked at human element in enforcing the law,” he said.
He said aside from enforcement, the council has also decided to embark upon sensitisation and public enlightenment as a strategy to dissuade members of the public from patronising street traders.
