Lagos Govt dislodges squatters, recovers weapons at waterfront

By Sodiq Adelakun

The Lagos State Government has stepped up its clampdown on unauthorised structures and criminal enclaves, evicting squatters and dismantling makeshift shelters at the Okunde Bluewater Scheme in Lekki.

The operation, spearheaded by the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, led to the recovery of assorted weapons and firearms, with several suspects taken into custody.

In a statement issued over the weekend, the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, explained that the exercise forms part of the government’s wider strategy to safeguard Lagos’s coastal areas, in accordance with the Mega City Master Plan.

“This goes beyond the issue of illegal construction—it is fundamentally a matter of public safety,” Alebiosu stated.

“We found dangerous weapons and firearms during the operation. These shanties had become notorious hideouts for armed robbery, drug dealing, and other unlawful activities.”

He recalled that although the area had previously been cleared in late 2024, the illegal structures had re-emerged, reigniting fears among security agencies and residents in the vicinity.

The reclaimed land, he said, has been designated for the Bluewater Scheme and coastal road infrastructure—both key components in improving urban mobility and boosting tourism potential in Lagos.

“Leaving these illegal structures in place would amount to neglecting the rights and safety of law-abiding citizens,” the commissioner warned. “Any future attempts to rebuild on this land will be met with swift enforcement action.”

Alebiosu also assured the public that the ministry would continue to carry out regular surveillance and periodic clean-up exercises to ensure Lagos’s waterfronts are protected from encroachment and misuse.

“Our commitment is to keep these vital areas secure, orderly, and in alignment with the vision of a modern and prosperous Lagos,” he added.