Operatives of the Lagos State environmental task force, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), in collaboration with the police, have begun the demolition of several buildings in the Maryland area of Ikeja.

The exercise, which started on Monday, targeted structures reportedly occupied by illegal tenants. Eyewitnesses said the demolition triggered a rush as occupants hurriedly moved their belongings, including bags and household items, before the bulldozers pulled down the buildings. Scavengers also took advantage of the operation, carting away wood and other reusable materials from the site.

Explaining the move, the Public Relations Officer of KAI, Ajayi Lukman, said the action followed a petition from landowners who alleged that the illegal occupants were involved in criminal activities, including robbery, which made the area unsafe, particularly at night.

“These buildings are illegal shanties. As of yesterday, we were here, and we had already given notice. In fact, we alerted the illegal occupants about three months ago,” he said.

According to Lukman, the petition by the landowners alleged that hoodlums harboured in the buildings had been robbing passers-by, preventing residents from feeling safe at night. He stressed that adequate warning was issued before the demolition to allow the squatters to vacate the area.