Operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority have uncovered a fake gun suspected to be used in terrorising residents during a shanty demolition exercise at the Costain Bus Stop, in the Surulere Local Government Area of the state.
It was observef on Friday that the wooden shanties were erected behind the bus stop shed, along the setback on the railway track, and under the bridge within the area.
The operation was jointly carried out by the Police, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, Lagos State Waste Management Authority, and the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority.
Speaking with journalists at the scene of the operation, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transportation, Sola Giwa, disclosed that the space occupied by the illegal squatters was designated as a bus park.
He noted that the demolition was carried out to relocate commercial vehicles that ply the area to the reclaimed space and to prevent obstruction on the expressway.
According to Giwa, while the demolition was ongoing, a wooden AK-47 dummy gun was discovered in one of the shanties, adding that such a dummy gun could have been used to perpetrate criminal activities.
“We found a locally made wooden gun, and that means they are perpetrating criminal activities here. The government cannot sit down and allow this to go on,” Giwa said.
Giwa added that the demolition followed an earlier clearance operation carried out in the area.
“When we cleared the Costain underbridge last week, we intended to relocate the commercial vehicles here, which was the designated area for them. But when we got here, we realised that the bus stop and the lay-by built for commercial buses had been taken over.
As a responsive government, what we have to do is take them out.
“What we are trying to emphasise is that there must be law and order. If we want to have a society that works, everyone must obey the law,” he said.
Speaking on the proliferation of shanties across some parts of the state, Giwa noted that the influx of people from other states, who had not made adequate preparation for accommodation, was largely responsible.
Meanwhile, occupants of the shanties have appealed to the state government to support them in cushioning the impact of the demolition, adding that the economic downturn had forced them to live in the makeshift structures.
An occupant, who identified herself as Ngozi, said she had relocated to the shanty about six months ago after the place she was staying in Ijora was demolished.
According to her, the nature of her business and the proximity to raw materials needed for production also influenced her decision to live in the shanty.
Frequent demolition of illegal shanties and makeshift structures has been a recurring exercise by the Lagos State Government aimed at restoring order and improving urban safety.
Last week Friday, LASTMA operatives also dislodged traders and traffic violators along Apapa Road, Costain, and the Ijora Under Bridge area of the state, and impounded several vehicles for obstruction during its 24-hour traffic monitoring operation.
