By Peter Omopo
Lagos | July 7, 2025. In a renewed effort to ease traffic flow and enhance road safety, the Lagos State Government on Monday dismantled a number of illegal checkpoints along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.
The operation was spearheaded by the state Commissioner for Home Affairs, Alhaji Ibrahim Layode, who led a high-level task force comprising senior officers from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and a representative from the Akran of Badagry.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the enforcement followed a strategic meeting held between the commissioner and commanding officers from two Army formations, where concerns were raised about the proliferation of unauthorised checkpoints hindering vehicular movement.
During the exercise, three checkpoints mounted by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Mowo axis were declared illegal and promptly dismantled with the cooperation of the Deputy Comptroller of Customs (Enforcement), Seme Area Command.
Layode noted that the checkpoints were contributing to severe traffic congestion and creating hazardous conditions for road users.
“We have received disturbing reports that some of these checkpoints are responsible for gridlocks and, in some tragic cases, fatal road accidents. Today’s operation marks the beginning of our decisive action to restore sanity and order on this critical highway,” he told reporters.
The team also moved to the Gbaji checkpoint, where the commissioner directed security operatives to reduce their operational footprint to allow freer movement of vehicles and goods across the border route.
During the operation, several motorists were apprehended or cautioned for flouting traffic laws, including driving against traffic and reckless speeding — behaviours that officials say have become commonplace and dangerous on the expressway.
Layode assured residents and commuters that the Lagos State Government remains committed to ensuring a safe, secure, and efficient transport corridor in the Badagry axis, especially as efforts continue to revitalise the Lagos–Badagry Expressway as a key regional trade route.
