21/04/2026
Press Release
3 Hoodlums Bag Prison Terms for Aggravated Assault Against KAI Operative During Olowu-Ipodo Enforcement Operation
Following incessant public outcry and expiation of served abatement notices to activate voluntary compliance, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI conducted a clearance operation to dislodge illegal traders constituting vehicular, pedestrian and criminal infractions at No 38, Olowu Street, Ipodo area of the metropolis, resulting in the arrest and subsequent prosecution of a criminal trio for aggravated assault on an operative of the Agency on Tuesday.
This disclosure was made available to newsmen by the Corps Marshal, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (Rtd) at the Command Headquarters of the Agency situated at Bolade-Oshodi. According to the Corps Marshal of the Agency, ‘‘we received intelligence reports and eye-witness accounts about the activities of street traders on that Olowu Street axis causing heavy gridlock for vehicular and pedestrian movement whilst a container obstructing the Right of Way was removed and in this process, hoodlums attacked one of our operatives by slashing his wrist with a knife in a singular case of aggravated assault but for prompt medical attention, the situation would have escalated’’.
Cole revealed the suspects namely as Farouk Olori, M, 25, Ogundare Oluwatobiloba, M, 27, Taoreed Alimi, M, 20 who were arraigned before Magistrate Ariyo of the Special Offences Court situated at Bolade-Oshodi on 3-counts charge bordering on Breach of Peace,Obstruction of lawful duty and Unlawful Assault, contrary to Sections 168(1) (d), (2), Sections 117 (1) (2) and Section 173 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015. In the judgement, the presiding Magistrate sentenced the 1st and 3rd defendants to a week in jail with the option of community service while the 2nd defendant who was identified by the court based on available evidence as the assailant, bagged a sentence of 1 year in jail.
The retired Major hailed the decision of the court, citing the judgement as a positive indicator meant to deter criminals, hoodlums and unscrupulous elements in the habit of obstructing and attacking law enforcement operatives promoting the activation of the THEMES+ agenda of Mr. Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu which seeks to make Lagos habitable for business. He further warned Lagos residents to desist from taking the laws into their hands, just as he enjoined environmental defaulters to tow the lenient part of voluntary compliance in the stead of operations.
Finally, the Corps Marshal sounded the charge for street traders in the habit of displaying wares for sale on road setbacks, lay-bys, medians, verges, medians, kerbs and verges to desist from engaging in environmentally-deterrent practices, maintaining that open urination and defecation remains banned and illegal in the State as defaulters would be made to face the law.
Ajayi Lukman
Head, Public Affairs and Advocacy Unit
LAGESC
Tuesday, 21st of April, 2026
Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Dr. Obafemi Hamzat
Office of the Chief of Staff, Lagos State
Mudashiru Obasa
Gbenga Omotoso
Tokunbo Wahab
Gboyega Akosile
The Lagos State Government
Lagos State Ministry Of The Environment and Water Resources
Lagos State Parastatals Monitoring Office
LAWMA
Lagos Waste Reporter
