The Oyo State Government on Thursday began demolishing illegal structures and shanties in various parts of Ibadan, the state capital.
The operation commenced at St. Gabriel’s Secondary Commercial School, Sabo-Jembewon Area, with a heavy security presence, including personnel from Operation Burst, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Western Security Network, also known as Amotekun, to maintain order amid protests from affected residents.
The exercise was led by the Chairperson of the Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi (retd), in line with an Executive Order.
Speaking during the exercise, Aderemi said, “No going back on shanties and illegal structures demolitions across the state. The Executive Order, as issued in 2023 by the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, could not be thwarted but must be obeyed with strict adherence, hence the need for this action.”
She clarified that the occupants had been given sufficient notice before the demolition exercise commenced.
The chairperson emphasized that the shanties, which were built against the school’s fence, posed significant safety and hygiene risks to students, making the action necessary.
She noted that the structures served as residences, hideouts for criminals, and makeshift shops for the occupants, often harboring dangerous substances and creating an environment that encouraged illegal activities.
Omololu Babatola, a representative from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, and a member of the Land Matters Unit in the Department of Planning, Research, and Statistics, added that the situation at Sabo-Jembewon had long been a barrier to effective education in the area.
