By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
Operatives of the Kogi State Environmental Special Enforcement Unit accompanied by heavily armed police officers Today began the demolition of all illegal structures, shanties, kiosks and containarised shops at the Post Office area in Lokoja.
Speaking on the demolition, the state Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Omofaye Victor, disclosed that the exercise became imperative to allow free flow of traffic and security in the area.
He said it was an eye-sore as these illegal artisans, food vendors and others littered the entire area with refuse and waste materials.
According to the Commissioner, “Illegal business operators like cloth sellers, food/fruits vendors and others were served a seven-day ‘Removal Notice’ by the government to remove their property and vacate the entire street which expired last week.
The Taskforce confirmed that after the expiration of the removal order, the government still gave these illegal squatters additional eight days grace to vacate the entire area before embarking on the cleanup exercise as well as clampdown on all criminal elements disturbing law-abiding residents within the area.
Hon. Victor therefore implored all illegal occupants on any of the government lands/property to immediately vacate the same as it would not be business as usual across the State.
Investigation conducted revealed that none of these occupants and illegal business operators have any permit from the State Government as miscreants freely smoke and sell Indian hemp as well as engage in prostitution around the area.
Below are some pictures captured at the scene:
