The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to residents against using public roads for personal events.
Residents have been reminded that hosting parties and gatherings on public streets disrupts traffic, inconveniences others, and poses safety risks.
The Lagos State Task Force has said violators of this law will face legal consequences.
The warning follows a recent incident in Ikoyi where five people were arrested for blocking Raymond Njoku Road with a birthday party.
Their arrest has sent a message to Lagos residents: blocking public roads for private events will no longer be tolerated.
Tokunbo Wahab, Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, addressed the arrests on his X (formerly Twitter) page.
Among those detained were the celebrant, the event planner, a musician, a sound engineer, and a vendor.
Wahab confirmed the arrests, saying, “The suspects… will be tried in court according to the laws of the state. Lagos will not permit disregard for regulations.”
He emphasized that the government is taking a zero-tolerance approach.
The Lagos State Task Force has long been concerned about the issue of road blockages caused by private events.
Task Force spokesperson Raheem Gbadeyan announced that enforcement will become even stricter.
He noted that Lagos residents should expect to see more officers monitoring for illegal gatherings.
Chairman of the Task Force, Adetayo Akerele, called the increase in road-blocking events “a serious issue.”
“It is unacceptable for individuals or groups to use public roads for personal events,” Akerele said, “causing inconvenience and endangering public safety.”
Some residents agree with the government’s decision.
One Lagos resident commented on social media, saying, “In a sane society, should we even be discussing this? Blocking roads for parties should have been banned a long time ago.”
However, not everyone supports the crackdown, with some questioning whether the rules will be applied fairly.
Another commenter asked, “What about the Friday prayers in Ketu and Alapere where the roads are blocked? Will the law apply to those gatherings as well?”
This debate highlights the challenge facing the government as it enforces these laws.
The government insists that all groups must follow the rules.
Residents have pointed to other locations, such as Lawani Street in Yaba and Ganiyu Lamina Street in Ijaye Ojokoro, where road-blocking events are frequent.
The Task Force’s crackdown is intended to keep the roads clear in all areas, according to Akerele.
Akerele explained that there will be specific consequences for those who break this rule.
Those arrested will not only face immediate charges but may also be subject to fines or other penalties.
“We are serious about restoring order on Lagos roads,” Akerele said.
The Task Force has introduced a new initiative called “See Something, Say Something,” encouraging residents to report illegal road blockages.
Reports can be made directly to the Task Force, which will work with other security agencies to enforce the law.
Residents are also urged to take advantage of event centers and designated venues for their gatherings.
This advice, the government says, will help maintain safety and convenience for all.
The “See Something, Say Something” campaign is one part of the Task Force’s broader approach to law enforcement.
Some residents have pointed out the potential loopholes in the law enforcement system.
A resident commented, “Last week, TBS was blocked for a musical show. Will the law apply to that too, or is it just for certain gatherings?”
In response, Gbadeyan, the Task Force spokesperson, reassured residents that the law applies to everyone, regardless of event type or social status.
The government has repeatedly emphasized that public safety is the priority.
Lagos has a history of public roads being misused for events, causing disruptions across neighborhoods.
These events often leave litter on the roads and contribute to traffic congestion.
The government hopes that strict enforcement will prevent the return of these chaotic scenes.
Residents have voiced concerns that road blockages might take Lagos back to “the old days.”
An anonymous resident shared, “Back then, roads were blocked, and rubbish was left everywhere. It was frustrating.”
Another resident voiced a concern about traffic delays caused by road-blocking events, saying, “It’s one thing to have a celebration, but to inconvenience everyone else is unfair.”
One resident remarked, “I support this 100%. People need to learn that their parties should not come at everyone else’s expense.”
Wahab said the Task Force will be working closely with the police and other agencies to ensure these new measures are enforced.
Gbadeyan said that arrests, such as those in Ikoyi, are only the beginning of this campaign.
The Task Force plans to monitor social media and other platforms to identify potential road-blocking events before they occur.
