The Lagos State Government has warned owners of uncompleted and abandoned buildings in the state to complete them or face sanctions if such buildings are used for unlawful acts.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Fatai Owoseni, said the decision was arrived at during the State Security Council meeting.
He explained that the meeting discussed various issues regarding security, crime management, law enforcement and traffic management, with the aim of finding a lasting solution to them.
He said the security implication of uncompleted and abandoned buildings and the increase in the number of people that were illegally residing in such property gave a cause for concern.
“We looked at areas where we are winning; areas where we need to make more efforts, especially the security implication of the influx of people into Lagos State in large numbers, the security implication of so many uncompleted and abandoned buildings and the increase in the number of people living in such illegally.
“The government has resolved to enforce existing laws to the letter and ensure that miscreants who utilise such uncompleted buildings to perpetrate unlawful activities are brought to book.
“Decision has also been taken that the owners of such abandoned and uncompleted buildings, which miscreants are using for illegal activities, are going to be held accountable,” he stated.
The commissioner, however, added that the police would make efforts to first engage and educate owners of such property.
“Using the approach, we should be able to reduce the influx of miscreants, who stayed illegally in such buildings, get rid of them and make sure that they don’t cause any untoward incident for us in Lagos,” he added.
