MARCH 29, 2012 BY SESAN OLUFOWOBI
Lagos State Task Force on Environment and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit has arrested 86 suspected illegal squatters, food vendors and aliens in Ikoyi area of the state for not having definite residential address and means of livelihood.
It was learnt that the arrest was in response to complaints by residents of the area about the presence of illegal squatters in uncompleted buildings and makeshift shops.
It was also learnt that the report of a security investigations conducted by policemen did not favour the squatters, as they were classified as security risk.
Task Force Chairman, Bayo Sulaiman, subsequently led policemen that raided the area between 11pm and 1am on Wednesday.
Sulaiman said those arrested were found in abandoned houses, shops and were food vendors and aliens. He said some of them were suspected to be part of criminal gangs terrorising Ikoyi residents.
The Chairman said, “They were arrested at Lugard Street, Bedwell Street, Glover Street and three different spots in Parkview Estate.
“Those arrested were those selling and living in shanties and those living in uncompleted buildings.”
Sulaiman explained that the food vendors were arrested because they usually sell food to suspected criminals squatting in uncompleted buildings.
He said the raid would continue because government wanted criminals out of the state. He added that the government would no longer tolerate people living in uncompleted buildings, saying a large number of them were criminals.
Sulaiman said, “Those arrested will be further investigated and charged to court.”
SOURCE: The Punch, 29 March 2012. http://www.punchng.com/
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