The Lagos State Taskforce has continued its mission to maintain the safety and security of residents and ensure Lagosians live in a habitable environment by clearing illegal shanties and makeshift buildings along Pen Cinema to Fagba railway corridor and its environs, covering a distance of about 25 kilometers.
The sting operation, which commenced in the early hours of Wednesday, was supervised by the Chairman of the Agency, CSP Adetayo Akerele, who took illegal occupants and squatters in the corridor by surprise.
Akerele disclosed that the action was necessary to provide residents around Fagba, Agege, and Pen Cinema railway routes a reprieve after a series of complaints were received by the State Government and the Police hierarchy concerning the activities of criminal elements residing there, who have shown a blatant disregard for the state’s environmental and sanitary laws.
The Chairman further noted that the presence of squatters along the rail corridor is not only unhealthy but also hazardous. He issued a warning to the ejected squatters not to return to the rail corridor, which was designed solely for the passage of trains.
Some of the recalcitrant squatters attempted to resist the agency’s actions; however, 94 of them were arrested and will be charged to court promptly.
Akerele assured residents in Fagba, Agege, Pen Cinema, its environs, and train passengers that adequate patrols and regular surveillance will be carried out along the corridor to ensure no squatters return to erect any shanties in the future.
He pledged to arrest and prosecute any individual or group attempting to return to the site.
“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.” Substance suspected to be hard drugs like Indian hemp, colorado, other harmful and dangerous drugs and weapons were confiscated during the raid.
