LASG DISMANTLES OVER 200 ILLEGAL SHANTIES, DISLODGES CRIMINAL HIDEOUTS AS LASTMA OPERATIVES UNCOVER DUMMY GUN BENEATH COSTAIN BRIDGE

Yomi Durojaye

In an emphatic manifestation of its relentless commitment to urban regeneration, environmental rectitude, and the safeguarding of public order, the Lagos State Government has executed a sweeping enforcement exercise that led to the dislodgement of illegal squatters, demolition of over 200 illegal shanties, and evacuation of derelict vehicles sprawling around Apapa Road, Ijora, and Costain under bridges.

The large-scale clearance operation, meticulously coordinated through a synergy of inter-governmental agencies, was spearheaded by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa. The exercise strategically targeted the reclamation and sanitization of critical public spaces that had been desecrated by unlawful habitation, environmental degradation, and nefarious criminal activities.

During the extensive operation, personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) made a shocking discovery—a dummy firearm and other dangerous weapons clandestinely concealed within makeshift structures beneath the bridges. This alarming revelation underscored the exigency of the intervention and validated the State Government’s proactive stance against festering criminal hideouts in key transportation corridors.

Hon. Sola Giwa decried the appalling condition of the affected areas, characterizing the unlawful activities and shanty settlements as “a monumental affront to public decency, environmental order, and the collective security of Lagosians.” He further asserted that “no responsive and responsible government would countenance such brazen lawlessness within vital infrastructural zones that sustain the State’s socio-economic engine.”

The Special Adviser reiterated that the clearance exercise was designed to eradicate incessant traffic robberies, dismantle drug peddling enclaves, and abate chronic environmental nuisances that had plagued the axis for years. He further disclosed that the operation equally led to the removal of unauthorized garages and evacuation of long-abandoned trucks, which had been converted into criminal dens under the Ijora Bridge.

Hon. Giwa reaffirmed the unwavering determination of the Lagos State Government to sustain the tempo of urban renewal and environmental enforcement across the metropolis, warning that any attempt by displaced miscreants or illegal occupants to return to the cleared sites would be met with swift and decisive sanctions.

The multi-agency exercise featured robust participation from the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), and the Nigeria Police Force, all working in concert to restore environmental order, safety, and infrastructural integrity.

Other affected areas included Apapa Road, Ijora, and Costain under bridges inward Iponri, where similar demolitions were executed to dismantle criminal hideouts and reclaim encroached public spaces.

This bold and far-reaching intervention forms an integral component of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s holistic urban renewal and environmental restoration agenda, aimed at reclaiming public infrastructure, ensuring citizen security, and preserving the aesthetic dignity and operational efficiency of Lagos State’s transportation corridors.

Hon. Giwa commended the seamless cooperation among participating agencies and enjoined residents to remain vigilant, law-abiding, and supportive of government initiatives.

He reaffirmed that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration remains irrevocably committed to actualizing a safer, cleaner, and more habitable Lagos one that reflects the true spirit of a 21st-century megacity.

Adebayo Taofiq

Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA

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Lockdown: Sanwo-Olu Charges Security Operatives On High Level of Professionalism

…Enforcement Will Be Done With Human Face - CP

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged security agents to be friendly in enforcing the lockdown order announced on Sunday by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Governor urged those who will be carrying out the enforcement to show high professionalism in dealing with erring persons, cautioning that high-handedness may lead to violation of human rights of residents.

Sanwo-Olu gave the charge on Monday in a discussion with commanders of all security formations in the State during a Security Council meeting held at the State House in Marina.

President Buhari announced 14-day cessation of movement in Lagos, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Ogun State as part of the steps to break the cycle of the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the country. Lagos is the worst hit among the three states locked down by the Federal Government.

Briefing the press after the meeting, Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, who spoke on behalf of the Council, said the presidential directive would be fully implemented, stressing that commanders of each security agency had resolved to comply with the Governor’s entreaty.

He said the enforcement of the restriction order would be executed with human face, but pleaded with residents and inter-state commuters to exercise self-compliance with the presidential directive.

He said: “We have just concluded a Security Council meeting with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and as commanders of security agencies in Lagos, we have fully digested the presidential directive on COVID-19. We have all resolved now to comply and enforce all the restrictions.

“The enforcement of the restrictions and all directives will be done with human face. We want to appeal to members of the public; what matters most is self compliant. They must try as much as possible to comply voluntarily to the laid down regulations, so that we can collectively defeat the pandemic.”

The Lagos police boss said those who had been exempted in the presidential directive would be allowed to move unhindered at any time of the day in the containment period, but added that the exemption was not blanket.

Odumosu said some other professionals and government officials on essential duties would be allowed to move, but said their leadership must obtain clearance from security agencies before sending out staff to work.

He said: “The exemption is not blanket. Some other measurements will still be attached to it and sent to various government ministries in the state. The Commissioners in charge of these ministries will have review and confirm those who are exempted are actually qualified to be exempted.”

SARS Harass, Detains Resident For 10 Hours In Agege



AgegePulse Magazine

As residents across the Lagos Mainland and other parts of the State continue to condemn the harassment extortion and illegalities of the operatives Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), recent developments show that the officers concerned are not ready to desist from the acts.

This is following a recent development in Agege community  Tuesday, July 31, 2018, where the operatives reportedly harassed and illegally detained a resident who was returning home from work.

According to the resident, Jonathan Godwin, he was apprehended by the officers along Dopemu, Agege Lagos Mainland, at about 9:15 pm but was driven around town and also detained at Area G Station, Ogba, Lagos Mainland, without having an inkling of his offense.

In his narration, Godwin said; “Yesterday, l was going home around 09:15 pm at Dopemu and l was harassed by the officers who called themselves SARS and TASKFORCE. They dragged me into their Black Maria without committing any crime nor explaining what I did. l was in the Black Maria till 3:00 am before they took us to Area G but the Area G officers said they cannot detain us.”

He continued saying; “They collected all our phones and money and a guy arrested alongside me told them that he works with the wife of the Commissioner of Police. He was beaten before he called the wife of the Commissioner of Police who asked him to give the phone to one of the officers but they refuse to answer him.

“At midnight, they took us back to Alabo Police Station in Dopemu but l when we got there, I noticed that the SARS and TASKFORCE vans were not to be found again but only the BLACK MARIA that took us there.”

Commenting further on the harassment received from the SARS officers, Godwin said; “All our phones and money were collected by the officers who called themselves SARS and TASKFORCE.”

He concluded saying “l was released this morning and many people are still in the cell. l swear to my father’s grave and assured them each one of them will be crying in their various houses by the special grace of GOD. Is this a country?”

Idris Aina 

Insidemainland