11th August, 2021
Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) on Wednesday arrested 30 people for erecting illegal kiosks and shanties at Marwa ghetto few days after clearing the area to serve as alternate road to Lekki–Epe Expressway.
The task force said those arrested would be arraigned in court.
The 30 people were arrested today when a team led by the Chairman, Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye inspected the stretch of road, which his agency spent two days to clear for motorists to use in order to decongest Lekki–Epe Expressway.
The trespassers who had re-grouped and re-built shanties removed by the officers of the agency on the road, were shocked when officers of the agency besieged Marwa Ghetto this morning.
Jejeloye, who expressed shock at the level of shanties in the area stated that government would arraign the illegal occupants to serve as deterrent to others.
“Government has been very lenient with them. We were here days before notices were served for them to understand the need to move away from this road. Days after that, I was here to serve them 3 -day removal notice. We came the fifth day and we still allowed them to move their belongings before we removed all the shanties.
“We explained and explained again that this Marwa Ghetto they have built all their shanties is standing on strategic route that serves as alternative route to Lekki–Epe Expressway. It also leads to Lekki Free Trade Zone.
“Here we are again, they have re-grouped and re-built shanties on it. It is like daring the government. We would make scapegoat of these 30 people we have arrested and clear the shanties again,” he vowed.
Meanwhile, the agency impounded 57 okadas after they plied prohibited routes in Costain, CMS and Lekki.
The Chairman noted that the agency would intensify its enforcement of Lagos State Traffic Law 2018.