In an effort to enhance security in Lokoja, the Kogi State Government recently took down shanties and unauthorized buildings that were serving as hideouts for hoodlums and criminals near the Ganaja flyover bridge.
According to Oluwasegun Joseph, the Commissioner for Environment and Ecological Management in Kogi State, the demolition exercise was carried out under the directive of Governor Ahmed Ododo as part of the government’s commitment to safeguard lives and properties in Lokoja and its surroundings.
Joseph emphasized the necessity of the action, stating that the illegal structures were providing shelter for criminal elements, posing a threat to the peace and security of the area.
He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards scavengers and hoodlums in Lokoja, highlighting the significance of eradicating such structures to curb increasing rates of insecurity.
The commissioner and his team also ensured the removal of illegal occupants from under the newly constructed Ganaja flyover bridge, cautioning against unauthorized activities such as trading, loitering, parking, and dumping of waste in the area.
Abdullahi Yusuf, the Acting General Manager of Kogi State Town Planning and Development Board, applauded the government’s actions, noting that despite repeated notices, the occupants had failed to comply with the regulations.
He emphasized the need to uphold the law and deter future violations, pledging ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal structures across Lokoja, including green belts encroachments.