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Lagos State Government has stepped up its crackdown on illegal structures and shanties across the metropolis, with the latest enforcement operation carried out on Friday at Costain Bus Stop and under the Ijora Bridge.
The exercise led to the removal of unauthorised traders, makeshift shelters, and several environmental violations.
Speaking during the exercise at Costain, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, said the action was part of ongoing efforts to reclaim public spaces that had been taken over by squatters and criminal elements.
“After clearing the Costain underbridge last week, we came here to relocate the buses parked around the roundabout to their proper terminal. On getting here, we discovered that the bus stop and all the lay-bys originally constructed for commercial buses had been completely taken over by shanties,” Giwa explained.
The inter-agency operation, coordinated by Giwa, included personnel from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, LAGESC/KAI, Lagos Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Giwa revealed that during the exercise, operatives discovered a locally made gun at the site, further justifying the government’s action.
“That shows that criminal activities were being perpetrated in this area. The government cannot sit idly by and allow this to continue,” he stated.
He emphasised that the initiative aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader strategy to restore law, order, and safety across the state.
“What we are trying to emphasise is that there must be order in our society. Lagos must work for everyone, and that means everyone must obey the law,” Giwa added.
Addressing the sustainability of the operation, Giwa assured that the enforcement drive would be continuous.
“This is definitely not a one-off exercise. Lagos keeps attracting people because of the Governor’s developmental strides, but this influx also puts pressure on the infrastructure provided by the government.
That’s why we must constantly reclaim and maintain these public spaces,” he explained.
He also disclosed plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, to prevent further encroachment along railway corridors.
“I have spoken with the Managing Director of the NRC. There’s a railway line just behind this area, and we cannot allow people to build shanties along the tracks,” Giwa said.
According to him, while enforcement is crucial, the government’s approach remains guided by humanitarian principles.
“How can anyone abandon the comfort of a home to live under a bridge? We are human beings, and we must respect human dignity,” he noted, describing the government’s approach as one of “tough love.”
He also urged prospective migrants to plan properly before relocating to Lagos.
“Lagos welcomes everyone, but you cannot just come without a plan or a place to stay. The city has laws and standards that must be respected,” Giwa warned.
