- Lagos government begins demolition of illegal structures in Ikate Elegushi after repeated notices were ignored.
- LASBCA, House of Assembly, and Urban Development officials target unsafe, unapproved buildings.
- More illegal properties in Lekki–Ikoyi, including those under high-tension lines, marked for removal.
- Government warns developers that no area will be exempt from the ongoing statewide cleanup.
The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), has begun removing illegal structures in the Ikate Elegushi area as part of a broader push to restore order in the state’s built environment. The operation, carried out jointly with the Lagos State House of Assembly and the Office of Urban Development, targeted buildings erected without approval or in violation of physical planning laws.
Officials said the exercise focused on structures that encroached on drainage setbacks, exceeded approved height limits, or posed threats to public safety. Many of the affected developments had been issued stop-work orders and demolition notices, but their owners allegedly refused to comply.
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Chairman of the House Committee on Physical Development, Sylvester Ogunkelu, said the Assembly fully supports the ongoing effort to sanitise Lagos, stressing that adherence to building standards is essential in a densely populated city where unregulated construction can cost lives and strain infrastructure.
Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, noted that illegal buildings continue to undermine environmental sustainability and distort urban planning across the state. He added that the Ministry is committed to strengthening LASBCA’s enforcement capacity to ensure full compliance.
LASBCA’s Acting General Manager, Bldr. Gbaye Florence, explained that the agency would intensify surveillance across all districts. She said many of the demolished structures lacked proper engineering assessment and were at high risk of collapse, creating avoidable danger for residents.
The enforcement team later moved to the Lekki–Ikoyi corridor, where additional illegal buildings were identified. Properties erected directly beneath high-tension power lines were marked for demolition, with officials emphasising the extreme hazards involved.
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During routine checks in the area, officials warned developers and residents about the consequences of ignoring statutory procedures. They noted that the government will not hesitate to pull down any development that threatens public safety or blocks essential infrastructure.
Ogunkelu further stated that the House of Assembly would continue supporting relevant agencies to enforce compliance, adding that the government is also determined to reclaim land taken over by land grabbers.
The Lagos State Government urged landlords, developers, and prospective buyers to obtain proper approval before starting any construction, warning that ignorance of the law will not shield violators from sanctions.
