The Lagos State Taskforce has arrested a total number of 281 suspected street urchins, popularly referred to as “Omotaku,” in a week-long raid exercise.
The arrest was in its bid to create a safe, serene, and secure environment, in addition to suppressing their activities across the metropolis.
Thenewsbearer gathered that the street urchins were known for terrorising Lagos motorists, forcing them to part with their hard-earned money, especially whenever their vehicles develop mechanical fault on the road.
The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, said that the Taskforce has proactively taken the bull by the horns and risen to the challenge in continuation of clean-up enforcement operations and commitment to rid the state of criminal elements.
Speaking further, Akerele, in a statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Taskforce, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, stated that within the last one week — from Thursday, January 8, 2026, through the weekend, to Wednesday, January 14, 2026 — the Agency arrested several “Omotaku” during its sustained enforcement onslaught against street urchins.
The areas visited during the week-long operations included Bourdillon, Lekki Phase 1, Ikoyi, Lekki–Ajah Expressway, Animashaun 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 Island and Mainland where the presence of the “Omotaku” and other street urchins was observed.
He disclosed that the street urchins had constituted a nuisance on major roads and highways across different parts of Lagos metropolis, before the Agency’s swift intervention.
He made it known that all of them had been arraigned in court.
Assuring Lagosians that Omotaku would soon become a thing of the past in few days to come, Akerele admonished them particularly motorists, to promptly reach out to the Lagos State Taskforce whenever Omotaku or other street urchins constitute a nuisance within their vicinity, and to call 09137555111 or 09138555111 for swift response.
He warned those engaging in criminal activities to desist, telling them that crime is not a career.
