Mass Demolition: Lagos Government Plans to Demolish Over 100 Structures

Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab

Starting on Monday, the Lagos State Government will be demolishing more than 100 shanties located under the popular Adeniji Adele Bridge. The Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has urged the occupants of these shanties to vacate the area voluntarily with their belongings before the enforcement operations begin.

The government has announced that enforcement action will be taken to remove the shanties, which house numerous people. The operation will be carried out by operatives from the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI/LAGESC) and officials from the Monitoring Enforcement and Compliance (MEC) department of the ministry, with security backup provided.

Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment, urged all residents of the shanties to vacate the area voluntarily along with their belongings before enforcement operations begin on Monday. The government emphasized that this operation is crucial for both environmental and security reasons.

In a related development, 11 more individuals were arrested by the state government for illegally residing under a bridge near Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi. This information was shared by Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Environment, in a post via X.

See what he wrote via X:

“Continuation of the removal of the abode under Dolphin bridge. 11 more persons were arrested. It is important to note that wood materials were used to construct the shelters, some occupants use gas cylinders, some had stored fuel for their generators, these are recipes for disaster.” 

The authorities have arrested a total of 34 suspects in connection with the illegal settlement under the bridge. Rotimi-Akodu, who announced the eviction and arrests conducted by the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI, stated that 23 individuals were taken into custody. 

It was disclosed that there were approximately 86 rooms accommodating squatters under the bridge, with an average annual rent of N250,000 paid by each squatter.

“The bridge has hitherto housed 86 rooms, partitioned into 10x10 and 12x10. Squatters there have been paying an average rent of N250k p.a,” he wrote.

“Squatters dwelling under the bridge leading from inward Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi were evicted today Tuesday, 30th of April, 2024 by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps LAGESC (aka KAI).

“These people created their own illegal settlement under the bridge, thereby exposing the critical infrastructure to impending destruction. 23 persons have so far been arrested and MoE/KAI will continue to monitor the place. The law will definitely take its course,” he wrote earlier.

LASG COMMENCES REMOVAL OF OVER 100 SHANTIES UNDER ADENIJI-ADELE BRIDGE TOMORROW

... As 48 Hours Quit/Removal Notice Expireshttps://t.co/RfxseznW0y@jidesanwoolu @drobafemihamzat @LasgMOE @tokunbo_wahab @gbenga_omo @gboyegaakosile @BSaluHundeyin @Mr_JAGs#LASG… pic.twitter.com/oEHaGrNMhD

— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) May 5, 2024

LAGOS REASSURES RESIDENTS OF SAFETY

The Statewide exercise to free Lagos of visible security risks has continued after the arrest of some suspects under the Dolphin Estate bridge.

The ceaseless influx of miscreants, beggars, and the destitute onto Lagos streets has raised… pic.twitter.com/smuCFuSdzY

— The Lagos State Govt (@followlasg) May 5, 2024

#LASG 

#AGreaterLagosRising