The Lagos State government has confirmed the relocation of some residents to their home states.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, who gave the confirmation, said the exercise intends to free the state of security risks.
“The Statewide exercise to free Lagos of visible security risks has continued after the arrest of some suspects under the Dolphin Estate bridge,” Omotoso said in a statement on Sunday.
The ceaseless influx of miscreants, beggars, and the destitute onto Lagos streets has raised fears of insecurity of lives and property. This is unacceptable.
“As part of the exercise, 450 miscreants were at the weekend rescued. Of the lot, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they are facing in Lagos; 79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell.”
According to him, the exercise will continue “as part of the government’s responsibility to keep our citizens safe and secure.”
Lagos State Government said the influx of “miscreants” to the state informed the recent demolition of erected structures under the Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi Lagos.
It said after the exercise, 450 squatters were arrested, 371 of whom asked to be relocated to their various states.
“The ceaseless influx of miscreants, beggars, and the destitute onto Lagos streets has raised fears of insecurity of lives and property. This is unacceptable.
“As part of the exercise, 450 miscreants were at the weekend rescued. Of the lot, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they are facing in Lagos; 79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell,” a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, on Sunday, read.
The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, after the demolition exercise said the government discovered 86 partitioned rooms, sized 10×10 and 12×10 under the bridge.
He added that tenants are said to be paying N250,000 per annum for the makeshift apartment.
Meanwhile, the statement added that the exercise would continue as part of the government’s responsibility to keep citizens safe and secure
