Suspected miscreants and street urchins on Thursday set parts of the Fagba Railway Corridor in Lagos ablaze in an attempt to resist arrest and evade law enforcement officials during a clean-up operation by the Lagos State Taskforce.
The incident occurred as the agency intensified its enforcement drive aimed at clearing criminal hideouts and restoring order across parts of the state. The railway corridor had reportedly become a hotspot for illegal activities, including robbery, drug peddling, prostitution, and attacks on commuters.
According to the Taskforce, the early morning operation covered key areas within the Agege axis such as Alfa Nla, Okekoto, and Pen Cinema, with a major focus on the Fagba corridor where criminal elements were said to be concentrated.
During the raid, officials encountered resistance from the suspects, who escalated tensions by setting sections of the corridor on fire. The resulting blaze posed a threat to nearby facilities, including a filling station and a bank branch in the area.
The situation, however, was brought under control following the swift intervention of Taskforce operatives, supported by the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, which successfully contained the fire and prevented further damage.
Several suspects were arrested in connection with the arson and other alleged offences. Authorities said those apprehended would be prosecuted in line with the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017.
Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, who coordinated the operation, reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance stance on criminality. He also urged youths to desist from unlawful activities and embrace legitimate means of livelihood, stressing that “crime is not a career.”
The operation marks the third enforcement exercise carried out in the area this year, as part of ongoing efforts by the state government to dismantle criminal networks and ensure public safety.