The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to curb illegal reclamation and dredging activities along the Lagos Lagoon, leading to the sealing of multiple sites and the arrest of five suspects in Lekki.

The enforcement operation, conducted by the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development in collaboration with the Ministries of Physical Planning, Environment and Water Resources, and the Lands Bureau, focused on stopping unauthorised construction and environmental violations.

During the exercise, the team, led by Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Bush Alebiosu, sealed off a property at 13A Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, which had been repeatedly cited for illegal reclamation and unauthorised extension of its boundaries. Alebiosu described the actions of the property owners as an act of “legendary audacity” that disregarded prior warnings and government directives.

“This particular building has been sealed on several occasions by all the relevant ministries, dating from last year up till now, yet the owners have continued with construction and social activities without any form of regard. We are back today with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Ministry of the Environment and Drainage Services,” Alebiosu said.

He added that the state government intends to prosecute the offenders, which may include forfeiture of the reclaimed land, while sand recovered from the site will be redirected for productive use.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, noted that the property’s initial approved layout was 1,200 square meters, but the owners had expanded it to 8,000 square meters without approval.

“The site is again sealed today. We will revoke all authorities they have on this land. The construction is also not fully completed, but people are still partying there, which puts people’s lives at risk. That’s why we are sealing off this place,” Oluyinka said.

Enforcement teams also inspected the Lekki Foreshore, discovering multiple illegal dredging and reclamation sites. Five individuals were apprehended while others fled upon sighting officials.
Alebiosu expressed concern over the scale of illicit sand operations, emphasizing that none of the operators had submitted Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) as required.

“Some of the dredging is done as far as 7 km into the lagoon, with no accurate record of the quantity of sand taken out, which is then used to carry out illegal reclamation works,” he explained.

He also noted that shanties along the lagoon often serve as hideouts for criminal elements, and reported that one vessel fled during the enforcement exercise.

Oluyinka stated that the joint effort is meant to halt unauthorized reclamation and development, ensuring compliance with regulations. Mahmood Adegbite, Permanent Secretary of the Office of Drainage Services, highlighted that illegal operators had blocked three water channels leading into the lagoon, a situation the government would not tolerate.

“We have stopped the illegal reclamation and will continue to monitor every channel to protect the ecosystem,” he said.

Mobolaji Gaji, Permanent Secretary of Environmental Services, Ministry of Environment, added that illegal operators had blocked the primary channel feeding the lagoon, potentially endangering the local ecosystem.

“We have sealed the place, and we are waiting for them to have their papers. We have seen there is too much reclamation going on, and we want to enforce the law,” he said.

The enforcement team also visited the Ilubirin housing projects to monitor waterfront activities. Alebiosu reiterated that the crackdown follows directives from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the recently concluded Waterfront Summit, where he emphasised protecting lives and property along Lagos’ waterfronts under the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Development Agenda.

Other officials involved in the exercise included Lolade Ajetumobi, Executive Secretary of the Lands Bureau, and Major Olaniyi Cole (Rtd), General Manager of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC). Alebiosu concluded by warning that the government will continue its monitoring efforts and ensure offenders face the full weight of the law.