The Lagos State Taskforce has dislodged squatters and demolished illegal structures along the Pen Cinema-Fagba railway corridor in a decisive operation aimed at improving safety and maintaining environmental standards.
The enforcement exercise, which spanned approximately 25 kilometers, was carried out in the early hours of the day under the supervision of the Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele.
Speaking after the operation, CSP Akerele explained that the clearance followed numerous complaints from residents and the Police hierarchy about criminal activities in the area.
“This action was necessary to provide relief for residents around Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema who have been living in fear due to the illegal activities of these squatters. Their disregard for environmental and sanitary laws has become intolerable,” he said.
He further noted the health and safety hazards posed by the makeshift settlements. “The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught converting this place into a den of criminals or an area of residence will face severe consequences according to the law,” he warned.
During the operation, 94 individuals were arrested, while suspected illegal substances, including Indian hemp and Colorado, along with dangerous weapons, were confiscated. CSP Akerele assured residents that the suspects would be promptly charged to court.
Some squatters reportedly attempted to resist the taskforce’s efforts, but the agency maintained control and cleared the area. Akerele issued a stern warning to those evicted, cautioning against a return to the railway corridor. “Adequate patrols and regular surveillance will be conducted to ensure no squatters return to erect shanties in the future,” he added.
Residents in Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema have expressed relief at the taskforce’s actions, as the area had reportedly become a hub for criminal elements.
Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, Director of Public Affairs for the Lagos State Taskforce, reiterated the agency’s commitment to sustaining a clean and habitable environment for Lagosians, vowing that similar operations would continue across the state.
