Lagos clears 54 illegal shanties, dismantles criminal hideouts in Eko Bridge
…84 occupants dislodged as authorities intensify cleanup of major urban hotspots
By Sodiq Adelakun
The Lagos State Government, in a robust move to tackle environmental and security challenges, has successfully cleared 54 illegal shanties and dislodged 84 occupants beneath the Eko Bridge in the Ebute-Ero area.
The operation, executed by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), underscores the government’s resolve to restore order and curb environmental degradation in the metropolis.
The enforcement action, which took place on Monday, also saw the demolition of eight makeshift toilets that had been contributing to rampant open defecation and unhygienic conditions in the area.
According to Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, the move followed the expiration of a seven-day abatement notice, which had been ignored by the residents of the shanties.
“In consolidation of existing efforts aimed at reducing the spate of environmental nuisances to the barest minimum in the metropolis, LAGESC effected the removal of 54 illegal shanties which harboured 84 illegal occupants and eight makeshift toilets beneath Eko Bridge at the Ebute-Ero area of the State on Monday,” Major Cole stated in an official release.
The Corps Marshal further explained that the action was deemed essential due to the increasing misuse of the Elegbeta Water Channel beneath the Eko Bridge. Over time, the area had become a hotspot for criminal activities, the indiscriminate dumping of waste into the lagoon, and widespread open defecation.
“This area had evolved into a settlement for miscreants and illegal occupants, contributing significantly to environmental and security concerns,” Cole added. “The operation was necessary to address these issues and restore order to the affected area.”
The clearance operation is part of the Lagos State Government’s wider strategy to eradicate illegal settlements under major bridges in the city. In a similar crackdown earlier this year, authorities dismantled 86 makeshift apartments beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi, where rents were reportedly as high as N250,000 annually for a single room.
Other targeted locations include the Ijora Causeway Bridge, Blue Line Overhead Bridge, National Stadium Bridge, and Osborne Bridge. These actions are aimed at curbing the spread of illegal settlements and reclaiming public spaces for lawful use.
To prevent the reoccupation of cleared areas, Lagos State Minister for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced plans to partner with the private sector to transform these sites into public-use facilities, ensuring long-term sustainability.
The government’s intensified efforts reflect its commitment to making Lagos a cleaner, safer, and more organised city, in line with ongoing initiatives to tackle urbanisation challenges and improve living conditions for all residents.
