Residents and shop owners in Kara, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, have expressed fears that the recent demolition of shanties and makeshift structures by the Ogun State Government may lead to an upsurge in insecurity along the expressway.
The demolition, which reportedly occurred without prior warning, has left the area littered with debris and has become a cause for concern among locals.
Some residents claimed that they recently paid N12,000 for their buildings and shops to state government agents and argued that the presence of makeshift structures had contributed to a reduction in criminal activities in the area.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, Farook Akintunde, stated that the exercise followed the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum issued to street vendors to vacate the area.
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Shop owners, who were affected by the demolition, expressed distress, stating that some individuals had been rendered homeless as a result.
The Baale of River Valley in Berger, known as Baba Esan, warned that the demolition could lead to an increase in robbery and insecurity along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, similar to previous occurrences.
Despite criticism, the Press Officer for the Ministry of Environment, Rotimi Oduniyi, defended the government’s actions, emphasizing that the structures were constructed illegally.
He argued that the government’s intervention aimed to address security challenges and create a cleaner environment.
As residents express concerns over potential security threats, authorities face the task of balancing development initiatives with the needs and concerns of the affected communities.
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