Lagos State to Prosecute Illegal Shanty Offenders

The Lagos State Government, represented by Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced plans for the permanent enforcement of the removal of illegal makeshift shanties along Badagry Expressway. During an inspection on Wednesday, Wahab disclosed that offenders would face prosecution if they return after the ongoing clearance exercise.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had previously ordered the clearance of the median, emphasizing the need for compliance and resource deployment for the exercise. Wahab noted that the presence of illegal structures contributes to recent flash floods, as residents have been observed dumping refuse in the area.

He urged residents to engage with private sector waste management services to maintain cleanliness. The government has prosecuted over 1,000 individuals for environmental law violations in the past year.

Wahab attributed the recent flooding to heavy rainfall coinciding with high sea levels, which hinder stormwater discharge into the lagoon.