The arrest followed the commencement of the demolition of illegal structures in the area by the Lagos State Government
No fewer than 74 persons have been arrested for smoking and selling illicit drugs at Obalende area of Lagos State.
The arrest followed the commencement of the demolition of illegal structures in the area by the Lagos State Government.
The Government had given the owner of the illegal structures several warnings to quit the area, with the last one issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Tunji Bello.
The demolition of the illegal structures, shanties and containerised shops around Obalende flyover to pave ways for the free flow of drainages and canals.
The Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, SP Olayinka Egbeyemi, disclosed that the 48 hours “Abatement Notice” served traders/occupiers of illegal structures, shanties and containarised shops by the Agency around Obalende flyover expired on July 27, 2017, but the government gave another 48 hours grace for them to remove their wares and belongings before the commencement of the demolition exercise.

Egbeyemi disclosed further that the activities of these illegal traders, mechanics and people living around/under the flyover were an eyesore as they all dumped refuse and used tyres into the canal and drainages, thereby blocking the free flow of water, which resulted in flooding.
He stated that no responsible and responsive government would tolerate illegality of a few people causing damages and destructions to the generality of innocent members of the public.

The Chairman confirmed that well over 120 illegal structures, shanties and containerised shops have so far been demolished and 20 abandoned vehicles under the flyover by mechanics were towed or removed by the Agency.
Egbeyemi hinted that all those arrested, including miscreants and hoodlums, who smoke and sell illicit drugs during the demolition exercise, which is to last for 10 days, would be thoroughly screened by the Agency before being taken to court.

He implored members of the public, particularly traders around bridges and flyover across the State, to desists from dumping refuse and other metals, including used tyres by vulcanizers/mechanics into canals and drainages.
Sunday Eze said he has been staying under the Obalende flyover for over 17 years with his family.
Eze said: “I am 70 years of age and I have been living with my wife and three children under Obalende Bridge since I left Abia State over 17 years ago.”

Eze, who said he doesn’t have any relatives around Lagos, commended the government for giving him another 48 hours grace after the expiration of initial six months “Abatement Notice” for them to remove their wares and properties.
Another trader, Alhaja Bilikisu Adigun, said she has been trading and living inside a containerised shop under Obalende flyover with her husband for over 23 years.

Adigun stated she had packed all her wares and properties before the commencement of the demolition exercise.
A man who identified himself as Akintunde Folami commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for demolishing illegal structures, shanties and containerised shops around Obalende.
Folami noted that miscreants and hoodlums terrorised innocent citizens around the area by dispossessing them of their valuables such as phones, wallets and jeweleries, both early in the morning and late at night.




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Sofoluwe Emmanuel

Sofoluwe Emmanuel has been a writer and a reporter since 2015. He is the online editor of Latest Reality and a regular contributor to many lifestyle and leisure print publications. Emmanuel graduated with a Diploma in Accounting and Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication.

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