Bulldozers roared in the Ajao Estate Canal area of Lagos, Thursday, as the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI, demolished 138 shanties in the area.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, in a video shared on X, on Friday, revealed that occupants of the demolished shanties paid between N60,000 and N100,000 in annual rent.
In a related development, 94 persons were arrested, Wednesday, during a midnight raid on rail track squatters in the Agege and Fagba areas of Lagos.
The raid, according to the Commissioner, was in response to the plethora of complaints from citizens about the increasing population of illegal squatters, miscreants, and suspected criminal activities along rail track between Pen Cinema under the bridge to Fagba junction.
During the operation, Wahad said a locally fabricated short gun, several wraps of illicit substances suspected to be Indian hemp, charms, and a jackknife were recovered from the suspects.
“In response to complaints from residents, commuters, and concerned citizens about the nefarious activities of illegal squatters, miscreants, and suspected criminal elements along rail track corridors,” Wahab wrote, “the agency conducted a midnight raid along the rail track from Pen-Cinema under the bridge up to Fagba Junction.
“Ninety-four suspects were arrested during the operation, and a locally fabricated short gun, several wraps of illicit substances suspected to be Indian hemp, charms, and a jackknife were recovered.
“The suspects will be charged in court accordingly.”