The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI, has demolished 138 shanties along the canal bank in Ajao Estate.

These makeshift structures were reportedly rented out for amounts ranging from N60,000 to N100,000 per year by an organized syndicate.

In a statement on Thursday, LAGESC’s Corps Marshal, Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (Retd), confirmed the demolition, which led to the eviction of 169 residents who had been living illegally along the canal.

“Our intelligence identified severe infractions along the Ajao Estate Canal banks, where people were illegally renting shanties. This necessitated our enforcement action for a complete dislodgement,” Cole stated.

He expressed concerns over the public health risks posed by the densely populated, unauthorized encampment, which, he said, encouraged the spread of communicable diseases and social issues.

Cole reaffirmed LAGESC’s commitment to supporting Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES+ agenda, which aims to make Lagos a cleaner, safer, and more livable environment.

He further urged Lagos residents to avoid renting in unauthorized settlements, warning that similar demolitions would follow across the state to curb illegal occupancy.