• Occupants lament paying between N60,000 to N100,000 as annual rent
•  The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly called KAI, has demolished 138 shanties around the canal bank in the Ajao Estate Canal on Thursday as part of measures to check environmental infractions in the state.

This is as information emerged that affected occupants of the now demolished shanties had coughed out between N60,000 and N100,000 to pay as annual rent for the illegal spots they were occupying in the area.

In a video shared on X.com Friday, the State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said; “In continuation of concerted measures to reduce the scourge of environmental infractions and illegal encampment in public spaces, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), popularly known as KAI, on Thursday demolished 138 shanties around the canal bank in Ajao Estate Canal where illegal occupants pay between N60,000 to N100,000 rent”.

Similarly, a total of 94 persons were arrested on Wednesday during a midnight operation on rail track squatters across the state.

The Commissioner explained that the arrest followed complaints from citizens about illegal squatters, miscreants, and suspected criminal activities along rail track corridors.

According to him, a locally fabricated short gun, charms, a jackknife and several wraps of illicit substances suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from the suspects.

Wahab wrote thus; “In response to complaints from residents, commuters, and concerned citizens about the nefarious activities of illegal squatters, miscreants, and suspected criminal elements along rail track corridors, the agency conducted a midnight raid along the rail track from Pen-Cinema under the bridge up to Fagba Junction.

“Ninety-four suspects were arrested during the operation, and a locally fabricated short gun, several wraps of illicit substances suspected to be Indian hemp, charms, and a jackknife were recovered.(Forefront)