The Lagos State Government has vowed not to ease its campaign against illegal structures and shanties along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, saying the exercise is aimed at protecting public infrastructure and improving environmental conditions.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, noting that the operation would continue until the corridor is free of illegal occupation.
He explained that beyond the demolition exercise, government officials would maintain regular inspections to stop people from returning to the cleared sites.
The enforcement campaign forms part of the state’s broader strategy to tackle environmental violations, including illegal markets, encroachment on road setbacks and blockage of drainage channels, which authorities say contribute to flooding and traffic gridlock.
As one of Lagos’ busiest transport routes linking the state with border communities and the Republic of Benin, the Lagos-Badagry Expressway has remained a major focus of the exercise.
Wahab said, “Over the past three weeks, our enforcement team has intensified the clearance of shanties, illegal structures, and other environmental nuisances along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway.
“This exercise will be followed by sustained surveillance and continuous monitoring to ensure that environmental order is restored and maintained along the corridor.”
The commissioner appealed to residents and business owners to avoid occupying public spaces illegally and to support the government’s environmental agenda.
He said, “We urge members of the public to respect and preserve our environment by refraining from converting public spaces into illegal markets or for any unauthorised private use.”
He stressed that anyone caught violating the law would be dealt with accordingly.
Wahab added, “Anyone found encroaching on public spaces or using them for unlawful purposes will be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State.”
According to the state government, sustained enforcement, public cooperation and strict adherence to environmental regulations remain key to creating a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Lagos.
