In a decisive move to reclaim public spaces and restore environmental order, the Lagos State Government has carried out a massive enforcement exercise leading to the demolition of over 200 illegal shanties, dislodgement of squatters, and removal of derelict vehicles across Apapa Road, Ijora, and Costain under bridges.

The large-scale clearance operation, coordinated through a joint inter-agency effort, was spearheaded by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, who described the exercise as part of the state’s renewed commitment to urban regeneration, environmental sanity, and public safety.

During the operation, officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) made a startling discovery — a dummy firearm and other dangerous weapons hidden within makeshift structures beneath the bridges. The discovery, according to officials, underscores the urgent need to dismantle the criminal hideouts that had taken over strategic transportation corridors.

Hon. Giwa condemned the illegal settlements, describing them as “a monumental affront to public decency, environmental order, and the collective security of Lagosians.” He emphasized that the government will not tolerate lawlessness or the occupation of public infrastructure by criminal elements.

“The exercise aims to eradicate traffic robberies, drug peddling enclaves, and chronic environmental nuisances that have long plagued the area,” Giwa said. “No responsible government will allow such brazen lawlessness within vital infrastructural zones.”

The operation also led to the removal of unauthorized garages and abandoned trucks that had been converted into criminal dens under the Ijora Bridge.

Participating agencies included LAWMA, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), LAMATA, and the Nigeria Police Force, all working in synergy to ensure the complete restoration of order and cleanliness.

Hon. Giwa reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s unwavering determination to sustain urban renewal and environmental enforcement across the state, warning that any illegal return to the cleared sites would be met with strict sanctions.

He lauded the cooperation of participating agencies and urged residents to remain law-abiding and vigilant, assuring that the state government remains committed to building a safer, cleaner, and more habitable Lagos reflective of a true 21st-century megacity.