The Lagos State Government has demolished more than 200 illegal shanties and dismantled several criminal hideouts located beneath the Costain, Ijora, and Apapa Road areas in a large-scale clearance operation aimed at reclaiming public spaces and restoring order.
The enforcement exercise, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, involved multiple agencies working together to curb criminal activities and improve environmental conditions along critical transport routes.
During the operation, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) uncovered a dummy gun and other weapons hidden inside makeshift shelters beneath the Costain Bridge. The discovery was confirmed by LASTMA’s Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment, Adebayo Taofiq, in a statement issued in Lagos.
Giwa expressed dismay over the state of the cleared areas, describing the structures as “a monumental affront to public decency and order.” He stated that “no responsive and responsible government would countenance such brazen lawlessness within vital infrastructural zones.”
He emphasized that the operation was part of a broader strategy to combat traffic robberies, drug peddling, and environmental infractions in the metropolis. Giwa also disclosed that abandoned trucks and unauthorized garages, which had been converted into criminal hideouts around the Ijora Bridge area, were removed during the exercise.
The coordinated effort featured several key agencies, including the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), and the Nigeria Police Force. Together, they cleared derelict vehicles and dismantled shanties across Apapa Road, Ijora, and Costain inward Iponri.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to urban renewal, Giwa warned that illegal occupants attempting to return to the cleared sites would face “swift and decisive sanctions.” He further noted that “the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration remains committed to a safer, cleaner, and more habitable Lagos.”
Giwa commended all participating agencies for their cooperation and urged residents to remain law-abiding and supportive of the government’s initiatives toward maintaining order and cleanliness across the state.
What You Should Know
The Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, demolished over 200 illegal shanties and cleared criminal hideouts beneath Costain and Ijora bridges.
The operation, led by Sola Giwa and supported by multiple agencies, uncovered weapons and removed abandoned vehicles, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring safety and environmental order in Lagos.
