The Lagos State government has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to illegal squatters at abandoned Ikoyi Towers to vacate the property.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, gave the notice on Saturday, during an inspection of some identified sites, including the abandoned Federal Government property – Ikoyi Towers.
The Ikoyi Towers, located behind the abandoned Federal Secretariat, Ikoyi, comprises three blocks of 12 floors, tagged: A, B and C.
Wahab said the quit notice has become necessary to protect lives, which is the primary function of any responsible and responsive government.
He said: “Apart from constituting an environmental nuisance, they are security risk to the state which can be used as hideouts for criminal elements to perpetrate their nefarious acts.
“Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is passionate about the well-being and safety of all citizens and would spare nothing to ensure these ate achieved.”
The occupants of the building, who are largely security personnel, appealed to the commissioner to give more time in order to make proper arrangement for relocation as they have no place to go immediately.
One of the occupants, who identified himself simply as Mallam Abubakar, from Ilorin, Kwara State, said he is a Police Spy, and moved into the building in November 2023.
He said: “The agent collected N200, 000, one-off rent from each of the occupants, numbering hundreds of us.
“We have our families here. Our children are in schools. Where do we go from here? Government should have compassion on us this harsh economy,” he added.
