Cotonou: reclaiming public land, Municipal Police raise awareness ahead of crackdown phase

At the end of last week, a delegation led by the deputy director of the Municipal Police, Ulrich Soglo, and made up of municipal officers, visited the Vodjè neighbourhood and its surrounding area for a final awareness campaign aimed at illegal occupants.

A final warning on instruction from the municipal authority

This field visit follows an official statement issued on 13 April 2026 by the town hall, instructing owners to remove their disused vehicles and mechanics to clear pavements and roadways.

Speaking with garage owners and shopkeepers set up on public land, the deputy director of the Municipal Police reiterated the mandate given by the municipal authority: «It is the Mayor of Cotonou, Luc Gnacadja, who sent us to ask you to vacate public land. You must also remove the vehicles and equipment left on the roads», he said during these outreach exchanges.

Removals, impoundments and closures imminent

This dialogue phase is intended to grant one last window for voluntary compliance before the launch of a broad crackdown across the entire commune.

Upcoming operations will involve the automatic removal and systematic impounding of all abandoned vehicles, as well as the closure of unauthorised mechanic workshops and shops occupying public land.

The municipality’s stated goal is to restore smooth urban traffic flow and improve living conditions in the economic capital.