Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit says it has demolished over 1,700 illegal shanties and containerised shops around Fagba Railway line, Agege.
It stated this on Sunday in a press statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs Unit, Lagos State Task Force, Adebayo Taofiq
It quoted Chairman of the agency, Olayinka Egbeyemi, as saying owners and occupants of the demolished shanties and containerised shops were served a seven-day ‘removal order’ by the government based on series of complaints about criminal activities around Fagba, Agege.
He said after the expiration of the removal order, the government gave them additional 21 days grace to remove their belongings and vacate the entire area before embarking on the demolition exercise.
Egbeyemi said, “These illegal shanties and containerised shops were occupied by miscreants and hoodlums who terrorised innocent citizens around Fagba, Iju-Ishaga and Pen-Cinema area, dispossessing them of their valuables, especially early in the day and late at night.
“Investigations conducted revealed that miscreants and hoodlums occupying these illegal shanties were responsible for the destructions of public properties and looting of shops immediately after the recent ‘EndSARS’ protest around Agege.
“It was an eyesore with miscreants and hoodlums freely smoking and selling Indian hemp including prostitution by under-age boys and girls around Fagba railway lines.”
He also confirmed that suspected illegal substances (Indian hemp) and other dangerous drugs such as codeine, skunk and tramadol were recovered during the demolition exercise.