Panic as Lagos Resumes Demolition of Homes, Shops
This development on Saturday morning comes despite assurances from the Commissioner of Police and the Oba of Oworonshoki that no further demolitions would take place.
There is panic currently at Oworonshoki, Lagos State, as the Lagos State Task Force, accompanied by bulldozers, prepares to resume demolition activities in the Precious Seed Community.
This development on Saturday morning comes despite assurances from the Commissioner of Police and the Oba of Oworonshoki that no further demolitions would take place.
PIJAlance Magazine learnt that the demolition exercise, which was to begin Saturday morning, has sparked outrage and anxiety among residents, who are still reeling from the aftermath of the previous demolition that left over 1000 homes destroyed and thousands displaced.
A resident of the community who shared video clips, said “bulldozer together with the Lagos State Task Force stationed at Precious Seed Community in Oworoshoki now to continue ongoing demolition.
“TaskForce has just led a caterpillar that wants to begin another demolition again at Oworo this morning after both the Commissioner of Police and the Oba promised that nothing of such would happen again when the 3rd mainland bridge was shut down,” the resident lamented.
“We were promised that it would stop, but here we are again, facing the same nightmare,” said another resident, who wished to remain anonymous.
“The government and traditional leaders need to be held accountable for their actions.”
The Take-It-Back Movement and the Oworonshoki Demolition Victims’ Coalition have earlier condemned the demolition, calling it a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law.
They had demanded that the Lagos State Government provide compensation and resettlement for affected families.
The Oba of Oworonshoki, Babatunde Saliu, had previously claimed that the victims were illegal occupants, claiming the state government had acquired the land from his family.
However, residents disputed this claim, arguing they had lived in the area peacefully for over 60 years.
As tensions escalate, community leaders are calling for transparency and dialogue with the government to address the concerns of affected residents.
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