Squatters Take Over Major Road In Apapa

Squatters have taken over Bristrol street in Apapa GRA and all efforts by the authorities to dislodge them have so far proved abortive.

Hence the Apapa GRA Residents Association, Apapa, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, have appealed to Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and the Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tunji Bello, to come to their aid and evacuate these foreigners suspected to be Nigeriens and Chadians who with their wives and children have taken over the road.

The residents stated that illegal squatters have constituted a nuisance on the major road as they take their bathe, cook and sleep along the road, defecating in the drainage channels with the whole place stinking.

They added that their activities could cause an epidemic in the area if they are not evacuated by the authorities concerned with immediate effect.

Speaking with P.M.NEWS at their secretariat in Apapa on behalf of the residents, the General Manager of Apapa GRA Residents Association, Mr. Paul Odey, said: “We must praise Governor Babatunde Fashola for his efforts at restoring the lost glory of Apapa, but we are still grappling with the menace of okada robbers and other robbery suspects operating from some abandoned buildings in the GRA. “About 100 foreigners who were evicted from a large compound by court officials on Bristol Street, Apapa, suddenly settled on the major road with their wives and children as if we live in a lawless society.

“They cook, take their bath, sleep on the major road and even defecate inside the drainage in the area.

“We have complained to the authority concerned through a petition and the KAI Brigade stationed at Apapa have tried their best to dislodge them, all to no avail.

“We are appealing to Governor Fashola to complete his good work in Apapa by evacuating the these lawless people who have decided to squat on a major road,” he added.

When P.M.NEWS contacted the KAI Commander in charge of Apapa, Commander Nurudeen Animashaun, he said he is not authorised to speak with the press and that he has submitted his report about the development to the authority.

But a KAI source told P.M.NEWS that they had arrested the illegal settlers and arraigned them before an Ikoyi Magistrate’s Court twice and at Alausa, Ikeja Environmental Court, and even packed their loads with trucks to the Ikorodu dump site, yet they returned.

“The problem we are having is that each time we try to dislodge them, they would be hostile to us with bows and arrows, but we must dislodge them,” the source stated.

          —Paul Iyoghojie