Tension erupted on Friday along the Costain and Apapa Road axis of Ebute Meta (West) as the Lagos State Government demolished makeshift shops and stalls, disrupting business and traffic.
The operation, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, involved LASTMA, KAI, and the Police, targeting illegal structures and abandoned vehicles under the Ijora Bridge.
Giwa said the exercise aimed to restore order and eliminate criminal hideouts, stressing that the cleared sites posed environmental and safety risks.
However, affected traders accused the government of insensitivity and poor notice.
A trader, Kudirat Ojomo, said her stall was demolished twice in October, while Ezekiel Andrew described the move as unfair, noting that other crowded trading zones like Oyingbo and Yaba were spared.
A commercial driver, Maruf, also complained that enforcement vehicles caused heavy traffic during the operation.
Despite public backlash, Giwa defended the action, saying the long-term benefits outweigh the inconvenience.
The demolition has left many traders displaced and uncertain about their next move.
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