Task force demolishes suspected criminal hideouts in Lagos

Reports show that operatives of the Lagos State Task Force, on Sunday demolished over 2,500 illegal shanties allegedly used as hideouts by criminals and hoodlums at White Sand, Jakande Estate, on Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lagos.

The Guardian reports that the Chairman of the Force, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police, who led the operation, disclosed that more than 2,500 illegal shanties constructed by criminals and hoodlums were destroyed.

Egbeyemi made it known that many of these demolished illegal shanties were criminal hideouts, where hoodlums smoke marijuana and other illicit drugs freely. The place is also said to be a den for women easy virtue among other deviants.

According to Egbeyemi:“Innocent members of the public, who have been complaining bitterly about activities of these criminals around Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah, can now sleep with their two eyes closed.

“Lagos State Government had invested heavily on infrastructural development across the state to attract both local and foreign investors and we cannot fold our arms and allow hoodlums and criminals in the society to vandalise them and still hide amongst us” he said.

He added that: “As a state earning the status of a mega city, illegal activities perpetuated by criminals and hoodlums around these areas can negatively discourage both foreign and local investors.”

In addition, The Guardian reports that one of the residents who simply identified him self as Engr. Damilola Okanlawon said the demolition exercise carried out by government was long over due.

He disclosed that hoodlums living around Jakande Estates always robbed and attacked innocent residents at night with dangerous weapons.

A trader, whose illegal structure was affected by the demolition, Mrs. Ene Ada from Benue State, disclosed that the government served them both ‘Removal Order’ and ‘Demolition Notice’ and she had long removed her wares and relocated to another area, The Guardian reports.

She confirmed that criminals and hoodlums had broken into her shops several times within the last six months.

Also, The Guardian reports that the Task Force boss, Egbeyemi had arrested a man who attempted to commit suicide during the demolition exercise.

Mr. Sunday Eze, who hails from Enugu State, was promptly intercepted by three Police Officers attached to the agency while trying to jump into an open well in the area. Eze, who claimed to be married with a daughter, said he relocated from his village in Enugu to Lagos for business ventures in 2007, The Guardian reports.

Source: The Guardian