Ibadan, August 1, 2025 — By Peter Omopo
The Oyo State Government has arrested 14 individuals for allegedly selling adulterated diesel and operating illegal shanties along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, in a renewed crackdown on illicit fuel marketing and encroachments.
The arrests were carried out on Friday by a special task force led by the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (retd), who confirmed the development during the parade of the suspects in Ibadan, the state capital.
According to Odukoya, the operation followed multiple warnings issued to the shanty dwellers, which were ultimately ignored.
“These individuals were not only involved in the unauthorised sale of diesel—much of it adulterated—but also engaged in various criminal activities in the area,” Odukoya said. “They pose both environmental and security threats, and we are determined to rid the expressway of such dangers.”
He noted that the suspects will be prosecuted in a mobile court under the oversight of the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Agency.
Odukoya further stated that the operation is part of a larger campaign to clear illegal structures and curb the spread of unregulated commercial activity along critical roadways.
“The state government had issued several eviction notices to these operators, urging them to vacate the location voluntarily,” he added. “But they ignored the directive. We are now enforcing the law, and this operation will continue until the area is fully cleared.”
One of the suspects, Bolaji Mustapha, admitted to participating in the illicit diesel trade but claimed he was unaware of any prior government notice. His defense, however, did little to deter the resolve of the task force.
Friday’s action comes amid growing concern over the rampant sale of substandard fuel, which has led to engine damage, environmental pollution, and in some cases, fire outbreaks across parts of Nigeria.
State authorities reiterated their commitment to maintaining public safety, cleaning up urban corridors, and ensuring only licensed marketers operate within the state’s regulatory framework.
