Sodiq Rabiu
Lagos – Residents of Ayetoro community in the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos, South-West Nigeria, have raised the alarm over the alleged demolition of their buildings by the Lagos State government officials, especially the Task Force and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).
The demolition, which reportedly took place on Monday without prior notice, has left thousands of families homeless and in distress, according to investigative news outlet SaharaReporters.
One of the residents, Ajimuda Gbenga, told the New York-based publisher on Tuesday that some policemen and LASEMA officials came and demolished their building.
Samuel Adebayo, a representative of the community, also said he had spoken to several notable people about the incident but he was not sure who could come to their aid as soon as possible.
Adebayo said: “Our community existed long before the Oko-Baba Plant Market. However, due to the expansion of the plant market, there has been tension. Ayetoro, a neighbouring community, shares a boundary with the plant market.
“What is happening now is disturbing; the demolition began in the market, about 2 kilometers away from our community. I witnessed them using bulldozers to demolish houses. In areas they couldn’t reach, they resorted to setting homes on fire, leaving children and their mothers without shelter.”
The community’s representative said the officials extended the demolition towards the end of the plant market, crossing into their community.
“The boundary between the plant market and our community has been breached, and they are now setting homes in Ayetoro on fire. Over 3,000 residents are affected,” he said. “We received information from one of their agents, who told us that the government’s directive was to demolish the community’s buildings. I cannot understand why the plant market’s expansion is now affecting the community and its residents.”
“The only way forward is to ensure the safety of everyone, and that’s why we are calling on SaharaReporters to help amplify our voices. The situation is dire, and they are deliberately setting fire to people’s homes. We cannot sit back and watch,” Adebayo said.
When asked who is responsible for the demolitions, he said: “I was told LASEMA and the state government are involved.”
However, LASEMA Director-General Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu dismissed the allegation, saying “it is a barbaric and baseless thought to suggest that the agency is involved in the demolitions.”
“How can an agency swear to protect the safety of people be so reckless?,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.
“How can they set people’s properties on fire? As a medical doctor trained to save lives, I find it unimaginable that such an act could occur, I have dedicated nearly 30 years to protecting people and saving lives. How could we now be accused of setting homes on fire? Think about it.”
Oke-Osanyintolu said the allegation was “painful and unjust.”
He reiterated that LASEMA does not engage in demolitions, he said they are a rescue agency, not a demolition crew.
The official added: “Every activity LASEMA conducts is transparent, with the press always informed, from the moment an incident happens, we release a preliminary report, and after the situation is resolved, a confirmatory report follows.”
The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin did not respond to a request for comment.