Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Task Force have arrested seven suspected robbers believed to be part of a gang that had been terrorising commuters on the Bolade Bridge in Oshodi, one of the city’s busiest transport hubs.
The operation, carried out after what officials described as “actionable intelligence and sustained surveillance,” targeted a group allegedly using the bridge and its adjoining walkways as a base to dispossess unsuspecting residents of their valuables, particularly during early morning and late-night traffic peaks.
Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who oversees the task force, announced the arrests in a public statement, explaining that the operation was part of a broader campaign to reclaim public spaces from criminal elements and environmental abuse.
The suspects were identified as 19-year-old Samuel Olumide, 21-year-old Quadri Oladipupo, 23-year-old Ojo Ifabomi, 24-year-old Tunde Balogun, 21-year-old Dayo Badmus, 20-year-old Adegunlola Tayo, and 21-year-old Simon Michael. All seven are currently in custody and are expected to be processed in line with existing state laws governing robbery, public safety, and environmental infractions.
According to Wahab, the task force had been monitoring activities on and around the Bolade Bridge following repeated complaints from commuters, commercial drivers, and local residents about harassment, theft, and open criminality. The bridge, which connects key transport routes in Oshodi, is a strategic point for both vehicular and pedestrian movement, making it a frequent target for opportunistic crime.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Task Force apprehended seven suspected robbers operating on top of the Bolade Bridge, Oshodi, following actionable intelligence and sustained surveillance,” Wahab said, noting that the operation was carefully planned to avoid endangering commuters while ensuring the suspects were apprehended.
He framed the arrests as part of a wider security and environmental enforcement drive that goes beyond simple street-level policing. The commissioner stressed that the state government is determined to prevent public infrastructure from being converted into enclaves for crime, illegal trading, or other activities that compromise safety and order.
“This arrest is part of our ongoing effort to reclaim public spaces, protect commuters, and dismantle criminal activities that thrive around critical transport corridors,” Wahab stated. “Bridges, highways, and pedestrian routes must remain safe for law-abiding Lagosians, not havens for crime.”
Security analysts and community advocates say the Bolade Bridge has long been a flashpoint, emblematic of the challenges Lagos faces in policing its sprawling network of roads, flyovers, and informal markets. Oshodi, once notorious for street gangs, pickpockets, and chaotic traffic, has undergone several waves of government-led clean-up and redevelopment. Yet, despite visible improvements, pockets of criminal activity have persisted, often shifting from one corner to another as enforcement intensifies.
Residents and commuters have frequently reported incidents of phone snatching, bag theft, and intimidation on and around the bridge, particularly when traffic slows to a standstill. In many cases, victims are targeted while trapped in gridlock or while navigating crowded pedestrian walkways. The anonymity provided by dense crowds and the maze of adjoining streets has historically made it difficult to track and apprehend suspects.
The Environmental Task Force, though primarily known for enforcing sanitation, traffic, and environmental regulations, has increasingly become a frontline agency in the state’s broader public order strategy. Its operatives often work in conjunction with the police and other security outfits, especially in areas where environmental violations overlap with criminal activity, such as illegal motor parks, street trading on highways, and the occupation of under-bridge spaces by miscreants.
By targeting suspected robbers on the Bolade Bridge, the task force is signaling that its mandate extends beyond clearing refuse or removing illegal structures. The agency is positioning itself as a key player in the effort to make Lagos’ transport corridors safer, cleaner, and more orderly.
Legal experts note that the next steps for the seven suspects will likely involve formal interrogation, identification parades where necessary, and possible arraignment before a magistrate or high court, depending on the evidence gathered and the specific offences alleged. If found to be in possession of weapons or stolen items, they could face charges ranging from conspiracy and robbery to unlawful possession and related offences under Lagos State and federal laws.
