Lagos State government has identified a certain “Mopol” as the ring leader who rented out the Dolphin Estate under-bridge apartments to tenants, while intensifying efforts to arrest him.
This came as the government revealed that out of 450 miscreants rescued at weekend, 79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell.
Also on Saturday, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu directed relevant ministries to take custody of children of squatters evicted from under Dolphin Estate and Osborne, Ikoyi Bridges for rehabilitation.
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said that a statewide exercise to free Lagos of visible security risks continued at the weekend after the arrest of some suspects under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.
According to Omotoso: “The ceaseless influx of miscreants, beggars, and the destitute onto Lagos streets has raised fears of insecurity of lives and property. This is unacceptable.
“As part of the exercise, 450 miscreants were at the weekend rescued. Of the lot, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they are facing in Lagos.
“79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell
The exercise will continue as part of the government’s responsibility to keep our citizens safe and secure.”
Also, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, alongside the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, during an inspection tour at the weekend to the Dolphin Estate Under Bridge, and Ikoyi Towers, where illegal squatters occupied illegally, said
Governor Sanwo-Olu, has directed relevant ministries to take custody of children of the squatters evicted from underbridges for rehabilitation.
Wahab, who was full of compassion for the displaced children when he visited Dolphin Estate Under Bridge, along with the other team, said Mr. Governor has approved to take custody of the children pending the time they get permanent accommodation.
He disclosed the governor’s gesture when he met with Taiwo, Idowu and Alaba Johnsons, who are siblings during the inspection at Dolphin Estate under-bridge.
Taiwo, 15, Idowu, 13 and Alaba, 9, Johnsons who attend Dolphin Primary and High School, said they remained at the demolished site because they have no other place they can call a home.
The children, who were seen playing a Ludo game, said their mother and father have gone out for their normal daily business activities and are expected to return later in the evening.
“We want the government to assist our parents. We are poor from Delta State. We came to Lagos to find a living but things are too tough for our parents, that is why we are living under the bridge,” Taiwo said.
Wahab, subsequently, directed a senior officer in charge to make contact with parents of concerned children and the Ministry of Youths and Social Development for rehabilitation of children displaced from under bridges as approved by Mr. Governor.
The commissioner said the Environment Ministry and relevant counterpart ministry will collaborate on how to take care of some of the children of school age who lived under the bridge.
The commissioner said strict monitoring would be enforced to ensure that those displaced do not return, while removal enforcement would be extended to others identified under bridges across the State.
“The government remains resolute on extending its clean up exercises round the state as it has done at Apogbon, Obalende, Dolphin, Ijora Under bridges
Strong indication also emerged that security personnel have continued manhunt after the ring leader of landlords, simply identified as “Mopol.”
Wahab said: “He can only hide for a while and can’t run forever. The long arm of the law will son catch up with him.
Wahab, earlier at the Ministerial Press briefing to commemorate the first year of the second term in office of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos said government has intensified efforts to arrest for prosecution the ring leaders who rented out the under-bridge apartments to tenants.
Wahab said: “In a renewed step to ensure safety of lives of residents, the operatives of Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI/LAGESC, in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Management law renewed the enforcement of the use of pedestrian bridges.
“At the count, a total number of 1,032 persons were arrested for crossing the highway and failure to use pedestrian bridges.”