The Lagos State Government says a total of 3114 people were arrested for defying various environmental rules across the state in the last year.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in Ikeja on Friday.
He spoke during the ongoing 2024 Ministerial Press Briefing to mark the first year of Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s second term in office.
According to him, 1,037 people were arrested for crossing highways and failing to use pedestrian bridges.
Wahab said that 165 miscreants and squatters on the pedestrian bridges across the state were also dislodged, and the bridges were cleaned up.
“The government has also intensified efforts to arrest and prosecute the ring leaders who rented out the under-bridge apartments to tenants who also rear children in the place.
“Just about 24 hours ago, the operatives carried out an operation that unearthed a major illegal housing settlement constructed under the Dolphin Bridge in Ikoyi.
“An unbelievable 80 number of rooms partitioned 10×10 and 10×12 and a container used for different illegal activities were also discovered.
“All the structures have been dismantled, and a total of 26 miscreants who lived underneath were arrested, while efforts are being intensified to arrest the gang leaders who rented out the under-bridge apartments, which also had electricity supply,” he said.
Wahab, reeling out some of the achievements of the Environment Ministry, said: “The Kick Against Indiscipline, in conjunction with the State Task Force on Special Offences, also cleared the ljora Causeway Under Bridge, Apongbon Under Bridge, and Obalende Under Bridge, which have become the abodes of undesirable elements who pose a security risk to the state.
“Also, they carried out the clearing of the Lagos Coastal Road at Maiyegun Estate, Jakande, preparatory to the commencement of the construction of the Lagos Coastal Road.
“The agency arrested a total of 1,886 people comprising illegal traders, street traders, environment polluters and cart pushers.
“All these individuals were prosecuted according to the 2017 Lagos State Environmental Protection Management Law.”