Lagos Shuts Down Ladipo Market, Razes Shops On Island

As part of environmental enforcement actions conducted during the weekend, the Lagos State Government shut down the Ladipo Spare Parts Market along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and demolished unauthorized shops positioned before a Lagos Island church.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, announced the statewide operations via posts on X.

In a post on Sunday, Wahab said Ladipo Spare Parts Market was closed for repeated environmental infractions, including indiscriminate refuse disposal.

He tweeted: “Lagos State government, this morning, sealed Ladipo Spare Parts Market along Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) over repeated environmental infractions; indiscriminate refuse disposal on the median/highway and illegal street trading.”

On Saturday, Wahab tweeted: “Following reports of traders illegally occupying the frontage of St. Paul’s Breadfruit School, I directed our operatives to move in immediately.

“Yesterday at about 1:30pm, enforcement was carried out on Davies Street. All stalls and makeshift shops attached to the school fence and those extending onto the road were dismantled, and the entire stretch was thoroughly cleaned.

“Schools and access roads must not be turned into trading corridors. Beyond the obstruction, these activities pose safety and environmental risks to our children and the wider community.

“We will sustain monitoring of the area to maintain order and ensure that the current state is preserved. Lagos must work for everyone, and that begins with respecting public spaces.”

On Friday, the Commissioner wrote: “Yesterday, at different times of the day, I directed enforcement and clean-up operations across the state to address persistent street trading and environmental infractions.

“Our Environmental Task Force intervened at Ogudu Road by Ojota Junction, Iyana-Ipaja Under Bridge, and Egbeda Junction, where traders had encroached on the road, obstructing traffic and compromising public safety. During the operations, goods and wares were seized, and 15 offenders were arrested.

“All suspects will be arraigned in court, and the seized items will be forfeited to the State in line with existing laws. Street trading remains illegal in Lagos, and we will continue to enforce the law firmly and fairly to keep our roads safe, orderly, and free for all road users.”