Lagos taskforce apprehends suspected street urchins over extortion
Lagos, April 2026 (TBL Africa) The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has intensified its crackdown on street urchins popularly known as “Omotaku,” arresting several suspects at Marwa Bus Stop in the Lekki area of the state.
The agency’s spokesperson, Mr Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
He said that the operation, carried out as part of the agency’s zero-tolerance policy against criminal elements, followed reports of persistent harassment, extortion, and theft in the area.
Gbadeyan said that the suspects were apprehended while attempting to extort a truck driver whose vehicle had broken down.
“The suspects threatened to remove parts of the vehicle, including the battery, side mirrors, and jack, while demanding money and the driver’s mobile phone, ” he said.
He explained that taskforce operatives, who were on routine patrol and acting on intelligence, swiftly intervened and apprehended the suspects in connection with the incident.
“The corridor had earlier been flagged by motorists and residents due to recurring cases of extortion and harassment by these street urchins,” he said.
The spokesperson noted that the operation forms part of the second phase of an ongoing enforcement drive coordinated by the agency’s chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, aimed at ridding the state of criminal elements.
The image maker added that normalcy had been restored in the affected area following the intervention of the taskforce.
Gbadeyan assured residents that the agency would sustain its enforcement efforts to ensure public safety and order across the state.
According to him, all suspects will be charged to court in line with the Lagos State Special Offences Law.
