Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps have cleared illegal structures built around the fence of Salvation Army Primary School, Ayobo, Ipaja area of the state.
This is as some residents alleged that local government officials were responsible for the illegal structures springing up around school perimeter fences and on drainage alignments in the state.
In a video shared on X by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, some owners of the structures were seen hurriedly salvaging their goods while the demolition was ongoing.
Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, the residents claimed the council officials allocated the spots where the structures were sited.
The owners of the structures were also alleged to have been remitting a certain amount of money to the officials.
A resident, who identified himself only as Kennedy, said, “The presence of the illegal structures was with the knowledge of the council officials. They are the ones that often allocate the space. They also collect levies; some are paid daily while some are made monthly, depending on the agreement.”
Another resident, Kemi Adekunle, said the demolition was not the first time in the area.
He said, “It is not the first time the government would destroy illegal structures and shanties around schools and drainage channels in this area, but once they are demolished, the owners return to erect the structures with the backing of some persons claiming to be working with the local government.”
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