Sources close to the state government informed us during an investigation into the matter that the demolition was carried out because the government had strong intelligence reports that militants had moved into the area in preparation to launch attacks in Lekki and the Victoria Island axis.
An official of the state government, who requested anonymity, categorically denied that the state’s officials killed any resident of the riverine settlement and said this security measure was taken in the overall interest of all Lagosians stating that “these stories are malicious and mischevious”.
The source stressed that the state government places a high premium on security and that it will not abdicate in its duty to protect the lives and property of all residents. He added "The killing of security agents in the Ishawo area of Lagos further strengthens the resolve of the government to clear the illegal settlement at Otodo Gbame.
"The State government will stop at nothing to secure the State and is willing to take unpopular decisions to in the best interest of the State. The Otodo Gbame situation is one of such. We are sure that posterity will justify this action”.
It was restated that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led government of the state is committed to the safety of lives and properties of the residents of the state, which the government has demonstrated with the massive amount of resources spent to equip and motivate the state's police command. He explained the Governor would always respect the rule of law and would never approve any operation that could lead to the death of law abiding and innocent residents of the state.
"Our Governor can never compromise the security of lives and properties of the residents of the state. So, he could not have allowed the security agents in the state carry out an operation that could lead to the death of Innocent members of the public.
The demolition exercise was carried out based on recommendations from the state's security monitoring team, which officials he said painstakingly monitored the activities of hoodlums in the area. The government was still waiting for the settlers to relocate but the action was brought forward because of the security reports received. The reports revealed that the place required urgent action to prevent a security breakdown and escalation that could pose more threats to the security of the metropolitan state.
In addition, it was learnt that the settlement in Otodo Gbame is illegal without any title or appropriate approval for the current inhabitants. The state government in its desire for urban renewal and regeneration had previously given the residents of this shanty notice to evacuate the area.
An official of the state government, who requested anonymity, categorically denied that the state’s officials killed any resident of the riverine settlement and said this security measure was taken in the overall interest of all Lagosians stating that “these stories are malicious and mischevious”.
The source stressed that the state government places a high premium on security and that it will not abdicate in its duty to protect the lives and property of all residents. He added "The killing of security agents in the Ishawo area of Lagos further strengthens the resolve of the government to clear the illegal settlement at Otodo Gbame.
"The State government will stop at nothing to secure the State and is willing to take unpopular decisions to in the best interest of the State. The Otodo Gbame situation is one of such. We are sure that posterity will justify this action”.
It was restated that the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led government of the state is committed to the safety of lives and properties of the residents of the state, which the government has demonstrated with the massive amount of resources spent to equip and motivate the state's police command. He explained the Governor would always respect the rule of law and would never approve any operation that could lead to the death of law abiding and innocent residents of the state.
"Our Governor can never compromise the security of lives and properties of the residents of the state. So, he could not have allowed the security agents in the state carry out an operation that could lead to the death of Innocent members of the public.
The demolition exercise was carried out based on recommendations from the state's security monitoring team, which officials he said painstakingly monitored the activities of hoodlums in the area. The government was still waiting for the settlers to relocate but the action was brought forward because of the security reports received. The reports revealed that the place required urgent action to prevent a security breakdown and escalation that could pose more threats to the security of the metropolitan state.
In addition, it was learnt that the settlement in Otodo Gbame is illegal without any title or appropriate approval for the current inhabitants. The state government in its desire for urban renewal and regeneration had previously given the residents of this shanty notice to evacuate the area.
The state government, we are told, was not ready to condone the existence of another shanty in the state with “people living on sticks on water".
Our source informed us that the state government “will not succumb to emotional blackmail and will stand by this decision because it is in the best interest of all residents of Lagos State.
Our source informed us that the state government “will not succumb to emotional blackmail and will stand by this decision because it is in the best interest of all residents of Lagos State.
Prevention is better than cure
ReplyDeleteWhere is the place exactly. This lagos state is very big self, with the names they are calling
ReplyDeleteWalahi
DeleteThis is all a lie. Please check out #OtodoGbame on twitter or follow @justempower on twitter to see what happened to this people yesterday. Gunshots and teargas fired upon women and children. Oba of elegushi and ambode are doing what they did to the people of makoko years ago. Hope you know 2 people died yesterday. No news agencies in nigeria carried this news yesterday but it was all about BBNAIJA but BBC and other international news agencies carried the news and we nigerians choose to ignore what's happening right under our noses.
ReplyDeleteTrue
DeletePlease stella look into this and check out this people's stories instead of just hearing one side of the story.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lie at least they killed one person...
ReplyDeleteBloody liar of a governor.... even if that were to be d case why not resettle them in another location after a due process of profiling of the affected settlers? It's only in Nigeria that the govt will be flouting court orders at will.
ReplyDeleteWhy not resettle them in your father's compound if you are so great. Moron. So tomorrow someone can come and setup shack in front of your father's house and demand settlement.
DeleteAnon gone wrong... Are u depressed? Pls visit a psychiatric hospital
DeleteMc pinky
This is avery sensitive matter, that should not be treated lightly. Mr Governor, is it ideal to throw both the baby and the bath water away? I am sure u dont think Lagosians are dumb, stupid and illiterate? Even if there are criminals the community, does that warrant the total annihilation of it? Are there no criminals in ur village? Why have u not gone to ur village to destroy it? Let me affirm that ur not writing or talking to fools. These people are Lagosians, and am sure som of them voted for u. Am also sure that u have not forgotten so soon that for the grace of God, u will not be Governor today. Why do u people always forget so soon?
ReplyDeleteIf the children, women , the elderly in that community place a curse on u and all those that have a hand in what is happening in that community, believe me God will hear them.
If u where thinking right, u should have given them an alternative place before ur actions.
Now that u have destroyed their homes and means of living, a lot of the youths will join the criminal world , and the rest u know how far.
WHAT U DID TO THIS PEOPLE AND UR STILL DOING SHOULD NOT GE DONE TO ANIMALS LET ALONE HUMAN BEINGS. U better come abd go and build another settlement for this people before GOD WLL PUNISH U!!!
To those saying the government is lying, I don't blame you, because the so called people in government lie everyday, it's quite difficult to trust them, these people were asked to leave since October 2016 and they refused, the earlier settlers were even from Cotonou and Lome, some of them who agreed to leave were compensated, the only language our people understand is the use of force, Even when government wants to renovate their own property, squatters will not leave, we should check ourselves and stop blaming the government for our troubles.
ReplyDelete@omoeko, may what happened to "Otodo Gbame " happen to ur children, brother, sisters, mother , father and ur entire generation. Now if u believe what the Lagos state government did is right , then say Amen to this my prayers.
ReplyDeleteAmen, senseless pple everywhere, u want pple to leave their village to where?
Delete