Lagos task force raids Agege ram market over indiscriminate display of animals .

The Lagos State Taskforce, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, has launched a crackdown on illegal display and sale of livestock by the roadside, inner streets and any other unapproved locations in contravention of the environment laws of the state.

Shola Jejeloye, the chairman of the agency, led the operation on Monday, May 13, 2024.

During the exercise, dozens of animals were taken from the market to the Lagos state abattoir for “proper livestock health verification and husbandry.

In a statement released by Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the spokesperson of the task force, Jejeloye said the activities of the animal traders were “unhygienic and dangerous” not only to buyers but also to commuters and vehicle operators along the axis.

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“From this location, it is clear that these animals have not been properly barricaded from the road; therefore, it is very easy for one ram to lose control and jump onto the road, which could lead to an accident,” the statement reads.

On her part, Kofoworola Oloritun, head of enforcement and compliance at the Lagos ministry of environment, said the roadside traders have violated environmental and agricultural laws in several ways.

Oloritun said an animal ought to have been inspected and certified healthy before being displayed for sale in the state.

She added that appropriate fines would be issued to the traders before handing over the animals to them.

“We have issued warnings to these operators on several occasions, but they fell on deaf ears,” she said.

“The animals evacuated from the illegal market will be properly analyzed here at the abattoir before stakeholders’ meetings with their owners and enlightening on the need to adhere to the laid down laws regarding the sale of livestock.”