LAGESC Clears 650 Shanties Under Idumota Bridge in Major Cleanup

The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also known as KAI, in partnership with the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), on Thursday demolished over 650 illegal shanties and shops beneath the Idumota Bridge. The operation, was aimed at dislodging traders who had set up makeshift structures under the bridge to sell their goods.

Speaking on the exercise, Corps Marshal Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd) emphasized the dangers posed by these illegal structures. He noted that the clearance, tagged operation #LetLagosBreathe, was necessary to protect the structural integrity of the bridge and prevent potential fire outbreaks.

Cole referenced the Apongbon Bridge fire incident (23 March, 2022), where traders had installed electrical fittings and cooling systems beneath the bridge, leading to a devastating inferno. To avoid a repeat of such disasters, he warned that the government would continue cracking down on illegal trading under bridges across Lagos.

He issued a strong warning to traders setting up illegal structures across the city. He reminded them that selling on road setbacks, medians, lay-bys, kerbs, and gutter slabs is a clear violation of Lagos State’s Environmental Laws. He also urged pedestrians to prioritize safety by using pedestrian bridges instead of crossing busy highways.

Futhermore Cole assured that this operation is not a one-time event but part of a continuous effort to restore order in Lagos. He reiterated that defaulters will face legal consequences and urged traders to comply with environmental regulations to keep the city safe and clean.