In a renewed push to reclaim public spaces and strengthen urban security, the Lagos State Government has cleared more than 200 illegal shanties and evicted scores of squatters operating beneath and around key bridges in the Ijora, Apapa Road, and Costain areas.
The large-scale operation, spearheaded by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, was a joint task involving the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), and the Nigeria Police Force.
During the exercise, officials of LASTMA discovered a dummy firearm and other weapons hidden inside makeshift shelters under the bridge – a discovery that reinforced government concerns about rising crime and insecurity in the area.
Giwa described the shanties as havens for illicit activity, noting that many of the occupants had turned the area into hideouts for drug dealers, traffic robbers, and miscreants who terrorised commuters and residents.
“These illegal structures represent a clear assault on public order and environmental integrity,” Giwa said. “They pose serious security risks to Lagosians and will not be allowed to return. The state government will continue to enforce zero tolerance for such lawlessness.”
He explained that the affected areas had also become informal garages and dumping grounds for abandoned vehicles, often used by criminals to store stolen items and evade security patrols.
According to him, the operation aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader T.H.E.M.E.S+ Agenda, particularly the components focused on environmental sustainability, urban renewal, and public safety.
“The government is committed to sustaining this momentum. Any attempt by displaced individuals to return will attract decisive enforcement action,” he said.
The cleared locations including the Apapa Road, Costain, and Ijora corridors inward Iponri had been identified by law enforcement as persistent flashpoints for traffic congestion, petty crime, and environmental degradation.
Giwa commended the coordinated effort of all participating agencies and urged residents to collaborate with the government by promptly reporting suspicious activities around bridges and other public infrastructure.
He reaffirmed that the Sanwo-Olu administration remains dedicated to creating a cleaner, safer, and more orderly Lagos that meets global megacity standards.
Recovered items, including the dummy gun, knives, and other materials, have been handed over to security operatives for investigation.
He also revealed that similar operations will be extended to other strategic corridors such as Oshodi, Ojuelegba, and Berger, where illegal settlements and street trading have continued to impede traffic flow and threaten safety.
“This is not a one-off effort; it is part of an ongoing strategy to protect lives, improve mobility, and maintain the integrity of public infrastructure,” Giwa added.
Residents welcomed the move, describing it as a necessary step to restore order in one of Lagos’s busiest transport corridors. However, they also appealed to the government to provide designated relocation areas and affordable housing options for displaced persons.
