By Erewunmi Peace

The Lagos State Government has sealed several sites and issued an immediate stop-work order on illegal land reclamation activities off Orchid Road, Lekki, the Ministry of the Environment & Water Resources said in a press release on Monday.

The ministry said enforcement teams discovered aggressive shore-filling and the erection of structures that were narrowing natural water channels and obstructing drainage alignments — actions that increase flood risk and threaten the lagoon ecosystem. The enforcement action follows a statewide suspension of all reclamation projects announced by the state in September.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who led an inspection of affected areas, described the findings as “heart-wrenching,” saying perpetrators were creating plots for sale by narrowing river channels and filling wetlands. The ministry said some illegally placed structures have already been removed as part of the clampdown.

The operation is part of a joint enforcement drive by multiple ministries and agencies that has, in recent weeks, resulted in sealed reclamation sites, arrests in the Lekki axis, and the dismantling of illegal works across coastal and low-lying parts of the state. Authorities warned that anyone found carrying out reclamation without proper approvals will face prosecution and forfeiture of illegally created plots.

The Lagos State Government urged members of the public to report suspected illegal reclamation and said approved reclamation projects must comply with Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and drainage clearance procedures before work resumes.