LAGOS, Nigeria, Jan. 6, 2026 — The Lagos State Taskforce on Tuesday arrested 32 suspected street urchins, popularly called “Omotaku,” during a coordinated enforcement operation across major routes on both the Island and Mainland, authorities said.
The suspects were arrested for allegedly causing public nuisance, illegally obstructing traffic, and endangering motorists on key highways, following repeated complaints from residents via social media and radio platforms, according to a statement attributed to the taskforce’s Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem.
Areas covered during the operation included Apongbon, Fadeyi, Jibowu, Yaba (Phase 1), Lagos Island, Palmgrove, Ojuelegba and Surulere, as well as adjoining corridors, the statement said.
Taskforce operatives said they observed the suspects unlawfully stopping articulated vehicles—including petroleum tankers, trucks, trailers, lorries and private cars—thereby worsening congestion and creating safety hazards. Some suspects were also allegedly found smoking substances believed to be hard drugs and Indian hemp.
Authorities said those arrested were charged with violations of the Transport Sector Reform Law (2018) and the Environmental Management and Protection Law (2017).
The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, reaffirmed what he described as a zero-tolerance stance against highway nuisance and other misconduct, warning that the agency would continue combing “all nooks and crannies” of the state to rid roads of miscreants and prosecute offenders.
The taskforce said order was restored in affected areas after the raid and confirmed that all suspects have been charged to court.
