The Lagos State Government has intensified its urban renewal and security enforcement drive with a large-scale demolition exercise that cleared over 200 illegal shanties and dismantled makeshift structures under the Apapa Road, Ijora, and Costain bridges.
According to Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment at the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the operation was coordinated by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, with support from multiple state agencies.
During the exercise, officials made a shocking discovery — a dummy firearm and other dangerous weapons hidden beneath the bridges. Authorities said the find confirmed long-held suspicions that the area had become a haven for criminal activity.
Hon. Giwa condemned the illegal settlements, describing them as “a disgrace to public order and a serious threat to the security of Lagosians.” He said the operation was necessary to curb traffic robberies, drug peddling, and environmental degradation that had plagued the area for years.
The clearance also targeted abandoned vehicles, illegal garages, and makeshift shelters used as criminal hideouts. Giwa warned that anyone attempting to return to the cleared sites would face immediate arrest and prosecution.
The multi-agency operation included personnel from LAWMA, KAI, LAMATA, LASTMA, and the Nigeria Police Force, all working together to restore safety, environmental order, and infrastructure integrity.
Giwa reaffirmed the government’s commitment under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to sustain urban renewal efforts, saying:
“Our goal is a safer, cleaner, and more habitable Lagos — one that truly reflects the vision of a 21st-century megacity.”
The demolition is part of a broader plan to reclaim public spaces, prevent environmental abuse, and strengthen the state’s security framework across key transportation corridors.
