In November 2020, the Lagos State Taskforce on Environmental and Special Offences Unit demolished over 1700 shanties and containerised shops around Fagba Railway lines, leading to Abattoir. This was on the orders of the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The governor had visited Fagba a month earlier in the aftermath of the #EndSARS ethnic clash that engulfed the area and warned that some illegal structures would be cleared to pave way for peace and harmony in the multi-ethnic community.

Sanwo-Olu had said: “We are using this opportunity to give notice to all the miscreants in this neighbourhood. That’s why I’m looking at you. If you know that you are not doing any work and you are one of the people that have caused this trouble, we are giving you the final notice because we are coming to clear this whole place. We will make sure that you don’t disturb or embarrass this loving neighbourhood that we have here.

“We have Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba communities here and they are living here. You need to look for what to do, we will not allow you to come and tarnish the image and the peace we have in Fagba and in Lagos State.”

In 2018, four years ago, the then Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration also carried out a demolition exercise in the same area.

However, IfakoIjaiyeNews can report that the shanties are back with vengeance and residents are crying out.

The Illegal Structures/Shanties Are Security Threats

According to findings by IfakoIjaiyeNews, the shanties and illegal structures are used as dens by criminals who also hide dangerous weapons in the shanties.

The shanties around Fagba railway lines also provide cover for drug sellers and prostitution by underage boys and girls.

The miscreants and hoodlums who inhabit these shanties regularly dispossess people of their belongings late at night or early in the morning around the Fagba and Iju axis.

A visit to the Fagba railway line, along Jonathan Coker, leading to Pipeline, will show the chaos that has engulfed the area.

A police officer from Oko Oba Police Station, who craved anonymity, said that Abattoir is the den of the “hardest criminals” in Lagos State and once government is ready, they will flush them all out.

He said, “In our line of job, there is nothing we can do without an order from the top. Daily, we stay at the railway line till night and what we see and hear, I can boldly say that place is the house of the hardest criminals in Lagos State. But my brother, when government is ready, we will flush them out.”

Residents Have Their Say

Residents around the area spoke with IfakoIjaiyeNews about how the return of the shanties has contributed to their heightened fear.

Mrs Akande, who stays at Ajoke Estate, said as long as the shanties are allowed, residents should be prepared for the breakdown of law and order at any time.

She said, “We saw how hell was unleashed during the EndSARS protest and the chaos was from those hoodlums staying in those shanties.

“Recently, like last month, something similar almost happened when the Okada riders decided to take laws into their hands. Those living in the shanties are hoodlums and separate from the business people in Abattoir. Government needs to do something about that fast, else residents will never sleep with their two eyes closed.”

Another resident of Fagba street, who identified himself as Kola, told IfakoIjaiyeNews that government is yet to take the matter seriously and that is why the shanties always return.

“We know this country. We know that when government is ready to do something, government will do it. I believe when they are ready, the shanties will be gone forever. Do they have more power than the government,” he asked.

Mrs Ajayi (Not real name), told our reporter that the crime rate that takes place in those shanties is better imagined than experienced.

According to her, when these hoodlums carry out their nefarious activities elsewhere, they run into the Abattoir for refuge and they are safe there as long as they don’t go out.

“The kind of things that go on in those places can only be imagined. A generator was stolen in our street and the owner went to look for it in Abattoir. Guess what? He saw it and bought it back after Police said they couldn’t follow him there,” she said.

The Way Forward

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s continued efforts in prioritising the security of life and property of Lagosians remain commendable. However, the return of the shanties constitutes a high-security threat, especially in an area known as a black spot.

For a lasting solution, IfakoIjaiyeNews proposes that the state government should establish a security post to deter these hoodlums from always returning after every demolition exercise.

This should be done after the shanties are once again demolished and hopefully, it will be for the last time.

This is more needed as Lagosians will begin commuting on the Red Line rail services.