The popular Bar Beach, which derived its name from being the old site of public execution, is supposed to be a fun spot in a city whose population was put at nine million by a 2006 census but is estimated at twice that by the government.

The beach however has become home anti-social elements referred to as "area boys" and itinerant religious worshipers.

"As reclamation work gets underway at the Lagos Bar Beach with eviction notices served to squatters, hundreds of squatters, including 'area boys' have remained unmoved", the news agency said.

The municipal administration in Lagos is giving a face-lift to the beach but social workers are worried about the welfare of over 5,000 squatters that are to be evicted.

A large chunk of the evictees depend on the beach for their livelihood.

Social workers are concerned about the future of young adults who make up 30 percent of the homeless people living on the sands of Bar Beach.

"Some of them are already mixing up with criminals while many others, who should be in schools, are roaming about in search of food," Victoria Okosi, a social worker told NAN.

Okoli canvassed for a resettlement programme before the goverment evicts the young squatters.

"We cannot be moved from here. We are land-owners here. Where do you want us to go?" said one youngster.

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