By Oluwabukunmi
The Lagos State Government on Thursday commenced the demolition of illegal and unsafe structures at the Trade Fair Complex in Ojo Local Government Area, as part of its efforts to enforce physical planning laws and restore order in the area.
Confirming the exercise in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, said the operation was targeted at “illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals, defective buildings, and constructions erected on road setbacks and drainage channels.”
According to Gawat, the state could no longer ignore developments that obstruct critical infrastructure and endanger lives.
“The Lagos State Government has begun removal of illegal developments, structures without statutory approvals and defective structures, and structures built on road setback and drainages in the Trade Fair Complex, Ojo Local Government Area,” he stated.
The exercise was jointly carried out by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA). Officials from the Office of Infrastructure, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and security agencies also provided support during the operation.
Bulldozers were deployed to pull down marked buildings, while some traders and shop owners looked on anxiously, expressing fears about the impact on their businesses.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration has repeatedly warned residents against erecting structures without approvals or blocking drainage systems, stressing that such violations worsen flooding, traffic congestion, and urban disorder across the state.
The demolition follows the recent expiration of a government-backed amnesty programme that allowed owners of irregular or unapproved buildings to regularise their structures without penalties. With the window now closed, LASBCA has intensified enforcement in several parts of Lagos, particularly targeting illegal constructions that obstruct drainages, block roads, or pose safety risks.
Similar past operations have, however, sparked backlash from displaced residents, who alleged inadequate notice and loss of property. In Oworonshoki, for instance, many affected residents claimed they were not given enough time to relocate or safeguard their belongings.
Despite the pushback, state officials insist that enforcement remains critical to safeguarding infrastructure, protecting lives, and ensuring that Lagos’ rapid urban growth is properly regulated.
