Illegal abattoir operators in Idi-Araba attack task force officials

Officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) were on Saturday stabbed with cutlasses and broken bottles by suspected miscreants and illegal abattoir operators at Idi-Araba, Lawanson area of Lagos

The miscreants also damaged two Toyota Hi-lux Van and a Black Maria belonging to the agency.

A senior police officer, Wilson Alaba and a driver, Mr. Adekunle Victor were among security back-up personnel provided by the agency to accompany Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives during the clamp-down on illegal abattoirs/slabs at Oshodi and Idi-Araba respectively.

It would be recalled that government’s effort at ensuring that better hygiene were provided in all abattoirs/slabs across the state by the present administration, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives began the clamp-down on all illegal and unapproved abattoirs/slabs across the state.

The move by the government followed non-compliance to statutory standards as contained in the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws.

It was gathered that members of the public had hinted the government about the activities of the illegal abattoir and slabs around Oshodi and Idi-Araba.

The enforcement agents, who had successfully closed and sealed off an illegal abattoir and slabs at Oshodi met a stiff resistance from miscreants and operators of abattoir at Idi-Araba.

The rampaging miscreants and operators of the abattoir came out in their numbers and began pelting stones and other dangerous weapons such as cutlasses, knives and broken bottles at the officials.

To avoid loss of lives and property, the task force security operatives tactically withdrew from the scene.

“During the melee, a Police Officer, Supol Wilson Alaba was seriously macheted with cutlass on his left hand and a driver of the agency one Mr. Adekunle Victor, who was abducted and later rescued in a pool of blood had his head and left leg broken with dangerous weapons and he is at present receiving treatment at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Emergency Unit, Ojota where he is recuperating after stitches on his head.

“One of the suspected hoodlums, a son of one of the illegal abattoir operators, one Mr. Olamilekan Adekunle, 26, who had his right arm injured, has been treated at FTG Iyanu Clinic, 144, Sara Close, Idi-Araba, Lawanson.

Dr. Aromire Samuel, who treated the victim, however, confirmed that no ‘pellet’ was found on him.

“It is hereby reiterated that the government would not fold its arms until members of the public comply with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws and that all illegal abattoirs and slabs across the state would be shut down by the government until necessary statutory standards were met,” spokesman of the agency, Adebayo Taofiq said.