The Lagos State Government on Thursday demolished more than 19 buildings at the New Mandela Plaza within the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo, Lagos, in a massive exercise carried out under heavy security.
Armed personnel from the Lagos State Task Force, the Rapid Response Squad and other tactical units sealed off the area while demolition trucks moved in, restricting traders and visitors from gaining access to the site.
The exercise, according to government officials, targetted illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals, defective constructions and buildings erected on setback zones and drainage alignments.
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Agencies involved included the Ministry of Physical Planning, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, the Physical Planning Permit Authority, the Office of Infrastructure and members of the State House of Assembly.
Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, confirmed the demolition, stressing that it was in line with enforcement actions against unapproved developments.
Traders and plaza owners, however, expressed anger, claiming that no prior notice was given and that valuable goods locked inside the demolished shops were destroyed.
Some suggested the proximity of the structures to a canal may have prompted their removal.
Reports indicated that each demolished building was valued at more than N150 million.
The chairman of the Lagos State Task Force later clarified that his office was not responsible for initiating the operation but only provided backup support to security agencies.
As at press time, the state government had not issued an official statement beyond the confirmation provided by its media aide.
See more photos of the demolition exercise.
