Thugs attack LABSCA officials as bulldozer pulls down 2-storey building in Mushin

Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) on Thursday rolled out a bulldozer to demolished a two-storey building under construction in Mushin area of Lagos, with officials of the Agency escaping by the whiskers as thugs in the area attacked them in spite of being escorted by security men.

A total of six vehicles were vandalised by the attackers, who were said to have even blocked the road with a Toyota Camry daring the government officials to leave the area.

Also during the attack, a cameraman with the Lagos State Television received a deep cut in his hand with blood gushing out.

However, the police were able to salvage the situation without shooting or using teargas.

The government officials had demolished the building located at No. 77 Ogunmokun Street, Mushin with a bulldozer on account that the owner had no building permit.

It was learnt that the owner of the building was said to have been served a notice to stop work on the affected structure since January, but continued illegal development of the property.

Also, 11 other buildings were sealed by LASBCA in Mushin as the affected structures were said not to have building permit and other relevant documents.

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LASBCA General Manager, Engr. Olalekan Shodeinde, in his reaction said it was no longer going to be business as usual as government was determined to get rid of illegal development across the state and stem the tide of collapsed buildings.

“Before now, we have been civil in our enforcement, but the developers have remained recalcitrant by continuing in their illegal development. Most of these developers don’t have submission talk less of having permits,” he said.

According to him, LASBCA should not be running after illegal developers if they did the right thing by obtaining their building permits and submitting other documents for approval.

“Most of these illegal developments were done at night with substandard materials being used. They don’t get the needed permit or follow due process before erecting them,” he said.

Shodeinde, therefore, called on Lagosians to report any illegal development in their domains to LASBCA for prompt action in order to avert building collapse.