Lagos arrests 94 suspects, recovers firearm, drugs in midnight raid

The Lagos State Government, through its Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, has arrested 94 suspects and recovered a firearm, drugs, and other items during a midnight raid on squatters along the rail track between Pen Cinema, Agege, and Fagba.

The state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the operation was in response to complaints from residents, commuters, and concerned citizens regarding the activities of illegal squatters, miscreants and suspected criminals along the rail corridors.

According to Wahab, the operation commenced around 2:30 a.m. and lasted over five kilometres, during which time shanties and illegal structures were cleared from the area.

He said: “During the midnight operation, 94 suspects were arrested; a locally fabricated shotgun, several wraps of suspected Indian hemp, charms, and a jack knife were recovered.”

The Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, CSP Adetayo Akerele, who led the raid, noted that squatters along the railway posed significant health and safety risks. He warned the ejected squatters against returning to the area, stressing that the corridor was designated exclusively for train operations.

Akerele said: “The rail tracks are not meant for habitation or the sale of narcotics. Anyone caught turning this space into a den of criminals or a residential area will face severe legal consequences.”

He also assured that continuous patrols and surveillance would be conducted to prevent further squatting along the railway corridor. He stressed that the task force would ensure that no shanties are rebuilt in the area.