Mandilas Plaza Fire: Lagos Govt Issues Friday Deadline to Traders, Threatens Demolition of Illegal Structures
Story: written by Okafor Joseph September 19,2025
The Lagos State Government has given traders at Mandilas Plaza on Lagos Island until Friday evening to remove all illegal extensions and makeshift shops blocking emergency access routes, following last week’s devastating fire outbreak.
The inferno, reportedly triggered by a generator inside the complex, destroyed goods worth millions of naira and left rescue teams battling to reach the scene as unauthorized structures obstructed entry points.
Addressing traders during an inspection visit, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), Gbolahan Oki, delivered a stern warning that failure to comply with the government’s directive would result in immediate demolition.
“Any trader or shop owner who refuses to dismantle illegal extensions should be ready for demolition. The government will not relent until every obstruction is cleared,” Oki warned.
The fire tragedy has once again highlighted the dangers of poor safety standards and disregard for urban planning rules across Lagos Island’s bustling commercial centers.
Authorities say the latest clampdown is part of wider efforts to enforce stricter building control regulations, prevent future disasters, and protect lives and investments in the state.
The government has vowed to carry out the demolition exercise without delay should traders fail to comply before the Friday deadline.
