In the early hours of Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the Lagos State Environmental Taskforce arrested 74 homeless individuals found living under bridges across major areas in the Lekki axis.
The operation, which covered Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, the Nigerian Law School area, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and 1004 Estate, was part of the state’s ongoing efforts to reclaim public spaces and maintain environmental sanitation. The taskforce apprehended 72 men and 2 women during the raid.
Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the arrests, noting that the suspects would be charged to court. “This exercise is to restore sanity to our environment and discourage the illegal conversion of public spaces into makeshift residences,” Wahab said.
Videos shared online show makeshift camps and personal belongings being dismantled and cleared. While authorities defend the move as necessary for public safety and hygiene, the operation has triggered public debate about the criminalization of homelessness and the urgent need for sustainable housing solutions in Lagos.
This latest raid follows similar actions in other parts of the state, including the controversial eviction of squatters under the Dolphin Bridge and Elegbata Bridge, where makeshift apartments with electricity and sanitation were discovered.
