Two hundred and eighty-one social miscreants, popularly known as ‘Omotaku’, have been arrested by security operatives.

The arrest of the suspects followed widespread complaints about the increasing menace of miscreants and hoodlums in the state.

The suspects were apprehended by operatives of the Lagos State Task Force on the Environment and Other Related Offences.

Tribune Online gathered that the latest arrests occurred less than two weeks after scores of hoodlums were detained in a similar operation across different parts of the state.

Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Director of Public Affairs of the Lagos State Task Force, confirmed the arrests in a statement signed by him on Wednesday.

The Task Force spokesman said: “In continuation of the Lagos State Task Force’s clean-up enforcement operations and its commitment to rid the state of criminal elements and street urchins, popularly known as Omotaku, who terrorise Lagos motorists and force them to part with their hard-earned money, especially whenever their vehicles develop mechanical faults on the road.”

According to him, “The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, stated that the Task Force has proactively taken the bull by the horns and risen to the challenge by suppressing the activities of Omotaku across the Lagos metropolis, in order to create a safe, serene and secure Lagos of our dreams.”

Speaking further, Akerele stated that within the last week, from Thursday through the weekend up to press time on Wednesday, 14th January 2026, the Agency effected the arrest of several Omotaku during its sustained enforcement onslaught against street urchins who had, before now, constituted a nuisance on major roads and highways across different parts of the Lagos metropolis.

The areas visited during the week-long operations included Bourdillon, Lekki Phase 1, Ikoyi, Lekki–Ajah Expressway, Animashahun bus stop, Akowonjo Road, Egbeda, Fadeyi bus stop, Costain, Funsho Williams Avenue, Victoria Island, Apongbon, Jibowu, Yaba Phase 1, Lagos Island, Palmgrove, Ojuelegba Road, Surulere and other adjoining roads on both the Island and Mainland, where the presence of undesirable elements, popularly known as Omotaku and other street urchins, was observed.

The Task Force stated: “During the week-long raid exercise, a total of 281 suspects were arrested, and all suspects have since been arraigned in court. The Chairman stated that Omotaku would soon become a thing of the past in the coming days.”

Akerele admonished Lagosians, particularly motorists, to promptly reach out to the Lagos State Task Force whenever Omotaku or other street urchins constitute a nuisance within their vicinity, and to call 09137555111 or 09138555111 for a swift response.

He, however, warned those engaged in criminal activities to desist, stating that crime is not a career. (Nigerian Tribune)

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