Police arrest armed thugs who attacked LASG officials while on duty

Etim Ekpimah

Police have arrested scores of hoodlums who attacked Lagos State Government officials who were on enforcement activities or removal of illegal PFS at the Ajao Estate area of the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said in his Twitter handle that the thugs were armed with guns, cudgels, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons.

According to him, the hoodlums opened fire at the officials, journalists, and vandalized the government bus, destroying tools as well as cameras belonging to journalists.

On the pictures he attached to the page, he said: “Faces of some of those arrested, including the property owner, his orderly and supporters who attacked govt officials, vandalised govt bus and destroyed govt tools including journalist’s camera at Ajao Estate this morning during an enforcement exercise.”

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has condemned the attack on its officials by armed thugs while on enforcement activities/removal of an illegal PFS in the Ajao Estate area of Lagos State.

General Manager, Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority ((LASPPPA), Kehinde Osinaike, said a joint team of the agency and Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) had gone to remove the illegal construction at 1, Robinson Gbagi Street, Ajao Estate when some thugs armed with guns, cudgels, cutlasses, and other dangerous weapons stormed the area and started shooting at officials and in the process causing mayhem.

Speaking further, Mr Osinaike said one of the LASBCA operatives who was macheted on the head and shoulder had been rushed to the hospital while others who sustained various forms of injuries are presently receiving first aid.

Osinaike added that prior to the removal, a stop-work order had been served on the site but rather than comply with Government directives, the owner broke the seal and continued with his activities while planning a well-orchestrated attack on government officials who were only carrying out their lawful duties.

He lamented the incessant attacks on Government officials on lawful assignments, warning that Government would henceforth take decisive actions against perpetrators of such heinous acts.

He urged residents to always cooperate with LASPPPA/LASBCA and other agencies of government in the built environment of Lagos State, as they were out to ensure a seamless development of the state through sustainable practices in building construction.

He said: “Developers and owners of properties should take heed and do the right thing by getting the necessary permits before starting building construction, failure to do this will attract the full wrath of the law as the government will continue to maintain zero tolerance for illegal, unauthorized and haphazard building construction in the state.”