The Traffic

FESTAC Clean-Up: KAI Pulls Down 150 Illegal Structures, Evicts 80 Squatters as Residents Cheer Move

Residents and motorists of FESTAC Town in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos, on Tuesday, heaved a sigh of relief as the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI) and Amuwo-Odofin Local Government launched a sweeping clean-up operation that demolished over 150 illegal shanties and evicted more than 80 squatters.

The operation, which kicked off around 9 a.m., was led by the Amuwo-Odofin Council Chairman, Prince Lanre Sanusi (popularly known as PLS), in collaboration with KAI’s Corps Marshal, Major Olaniyi Cole (retd). For more than five hours, enforcement trucks and bulldozers moved through FESTAC’s First Gate, Road 202, Agboju Market, and 22 adjoining roads, tearing down makeshift structures that had long been blamed for congestion, insecurity, and environmental hazards.

Three suspected vandals linked to the theft of manhole covers were also arrested during the exercise.

“Bringing Back the Old FESTAC”

Sanusi, who recently assumed office, said the initiative was part of a 30-day environmental sanitation drive aligned with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope vision.

He noted that during campaign consultations, “99.9 per cent of FESTAC residents complained about only two things: terrible roads and a filthy environment. We are determined to fix both.”

The council boss lamented the “brazen disregard for public health and safety” posed by illegal structures, which he said had become breeding grounds for crime, sexual violence, and disease. He outlined plans to sustain the clean-up, including registering and standardising security guards who would be supervised by the council.

Sanusi urged residents to cooperate fully, stressing:
“FESTAC was once the pride of West Africa. We want to restore that glory. The people are happy with this action, and we will sustain it.”

Community Applause

Corps Marshal Cole affirmed KAI’s resolve to keep FESTAC clean, saying:
“We have demolished over 150 illegal structures and dislodged at least 80 squatters. This is not a one-off; we will keep enforcing until FESTAC becomes safer, cleaner, and healthier.”

Residents welcomed the move. Evangelist Raphael Ogunjobi, Secretary of the Community Development Committee, described the clean-up as “long overdue,” urging the new leadership not to relent.

“FESTAC deserves its old glory back, and this is the first step,” Ogunjobi said.

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna