Five Arrested Over Illegal Land Reclamation, Dredging In Lagos

In a coordinated enforcement exercise across the Lekki axis, the Lagos State Government has clampdown on illegal dredging and land reclamation activities, sealing multiple sites and arresting five suspects involved in unauthorised operations along the Lagos Lagoon.

According to a statement on Sunday, the operation, led by the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, in collaboration with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, and the Lands Bureau, targeted reclaimed areas and construction sites operating without proper approvals or Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA).

A key highlight of the exercise was the sealing of a property at 13A Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, where the owners were found to have illegally extended their fence and carried out extensive reclamation works into the lagoon.

Despite being previously sealed multiple times by relevant authorities, the property owners continued construction and hosted social events at the site.

Speaking during the operation, Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Dayo Alebiosu, condemned the persistent defiance of state regulations, describing the actions as an act of “legendary audacity.”

“This particular building has been sealed on several occasions by all the relevant ministries dating from last year up till now, yet the owners have continued with construction and social activities without any form of regard. We are back today with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Ministry of the Environment and Drainage Services,” Alebiosu stated.

He also noted that the offenders may forfeit the illegally reclaimed land and that sand recovered from these operations would be diverted for productive use,

Alebiosu further said that the state government would prosecute the offenders.

In his remarks, Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Olumide Oluyinka, revealed that the property was originally approved for a layout of 1,200 square metres but had now expanded to over 8,000 square metres without authorisation.

“We will revoke all authorities they have on this land. The construction is also not fully completed, but people are still partying there, which puts people’s lives at risk. That’s why we are sealing off this place,” he added.

The enforcement team also combed through parts of the Lekki Foreshore, uncovering numerous illegal dredging and reclamation sites.

Five suspects were arrested during the operation, while others fled the scene as officials arrived.

According to Alebiosu, some of the illegal dredging operations extend as far as 7 kilometers into the lagoon, with no documentation or oversight from the state.

“We have no records of applications to carry out reclamation works along this axis. These operations are illegal. Some of the dredging is done as far stretched as 7km into the lagoon, with no accurate record of the quantity of sand taken out, which is then used to carry out illegal reclamation works,” he said.

The Commissioner also decried the growing presence of shanties along the lagoon, noting that many serve as hideouts for criminal elements. One dredging vessel reportedly fled the area upon spotting the team of government officials.

THE WHISTLER reports that on September 18, the Lagos State government announced the immediate suspension of all land reclamation projects across the state, regardless of whether they have received official approval.

The directive, issued by the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, follows growing concerns about the environmental and social impacts of unchecked reclamation activities in several parts of the state.

In a public notice signed by the Commissioner, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, the Ministry expressed alarm at the proliferation of reclamation works on wetlands, floodplains, and lagoon fronts in areas such as Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island Extension, Lekki, Ajah, Oworonshoki, Lagos Mainland, Ikorodu, Ojo, and Badagry.

Many of these projects, the ministry noted, are being carried out without mandatory EIA approvals or drainage clearance from the relevant authorities.

According to the notice, while land reclamation can support housing and infrastructure development, it also poses serious risks, including increased flooding, coastal erosion, destruction of biodiversity, loss of fishing livelihoods, reduced lagoon capacity, and deterioration of water quality.