The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) has arrested 36 persons for crossing the highway indiscriminately, warning Lagosians to desist from crossing the highways.

According to the agency, the effort is geared towards ensuring free flow of vehicular movement in the state, which is mostly hindered as a result of pedestrians crossing major highways where bridges are erected for usage.

The Corps Marshal of the Agency, CP Gbemisola Akinpelu (Rtd), gave the warning on Wednesday during the monthly interface session with senior officers of the Agency at the Command Headquarters, Bolade-Oshodi.

According to her , ‘’The agency’s action is geared towards attaining total compliance on road crossing and use of pedestrian bridges in line with the mandate of the Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on the enforcement and prosecution of the offenders.”

The Corps Marshal emphasised on the risks associated with crossing of the highways where pedestrian bridges are constructed, noting that crossing of highways impedes free flow of traffic and unnecessary loss of lives as a result of ‘’hit and run’’ motorists while noting that the distance from the pedestrian bridges where arrests can be made by LAGESC officers against erring pedestrians wishing to endanger their lives by crossing the highway is pegged at 200 metres.

She stressed that the Lagos State Government is interested in ensuring that citizens do not endanger their lives by crossing highways, advising them to resort to the usage of pedestrian bridges, as she charged the LAGESC operatives to intensify efforts at deterring defaulters.

“The Agency is presently carrying out the total enforcement in some of the identified areas such as Ikeja Along, Ikorodu Road, Ojota, Berger, C.M.S amongst others, while a total number of thirty six (36) persons has been arrested for prosecution, saying that the exercise will continue and will extends to all part of the State.”

Akinpelu further explained that the Commissioner for Environment & Water Resources, Mr. Tunji Bello has approved the establishment of additional Divisional Offices in the State towards ensuring adequate coverage of the state, saying that the Divisional Officers with offices will be strategically positioned towards achieving zero tolerance on all environmental and traffic offences in the state.

She emphasised the need for the Divisional Commanders, Deputy Divisional Commanders, Unit Commanders and Senior Officers on increased, proper and adequate monitoring of the pedestrian bridges as well as the need to dislodge traders around the bridges and walkways for free human movement.