Joy Anyim
Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force) have recovered weapons, and large quantities of Codeine, Tramadol, marijuana, Skunk, during the demolition of over 1,700 shanties around Fagba Railway line, in Agege.
During the demolition exercise over the weekend, the Chairman of the Agency, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), stated that the demolished structures had become hideouts for criminal in the state.
Egbeyemi also said that the state government had earlier served a seven -days ‘Removal Notice’ to owners and occupants of shanties and containerised shops in the area.
He disclosed further that after the expiration of the Removal Order, an additional 21days grace period was given to concerned persons to remove their belongings and vacate the entire area before embarking on the demolition exercise.
“These illegal shanties and containerised shops were occupied by miscreants, 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 had revealed that miscreants occupying these illegal shanties were also responsible for the destructions of public properties and looting of shops immediately after the recent EndSARS protest around Agege.
“It was an eyesore, as miscreants freely smoked and sold Indian hemp, engaged under-aged boys and girls in prostitution, especially around Fagba railway lines”, he added.
The Task Force Chairman, however, enjoined members of the public to support government in salvaging the State from the clutches of notorious criminals by reporting any noticeable criminal activities around them to security agencies.