The recent demolition in the Ayetoro community of the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) in Lagos State has sparked outrage among residents, as thousands have been left homeless following the abrupt action taken by government officials.
SaharaReports indicate that the demolitions occurred on Monday without any prior notification, causing significant distress among families.
Residents claim that officials from the Lagos State government, including members of the Task Force and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), were involved in the demolition activities.Ajimuda Gbenga, a local resident, recounted witnessing police and LASEMA personnel demolishing homes in the area. Samuel Adebayo, a community representative, expressed his frustration over the situation, stating he had reached out to various influential individuals for assistance but was unsure who could help them promptly.
He emphasized the urgency of their plight and trusted that media coverage would draw attention to their struggles.
“Our community has existed long before the Oko-Baba Plant Market,” Adebayo noted.
“However, tensions have risen due to its expansion, which has now encroached upon our neighborhood.” He described how the demolition began near the market, approximately two kilometers away, and escalated into their community, where homes were not only demolished but also set ablaze, leaving many families—especially women and children—without shelter.
Adebayo reported that over 3,000 residents are now affected by these actions. He mentioned receiving information from an insider indicating that there was a government directive to demolish buildings in Ayetoro. “It’s incomprehensible why the expansion of a market should lead to such devastation in our community,” he lamented.
He condemned the actions taken against their homes as “an act of inhumanity,” calling for immediate intervention and support from media outlets like SaharaReporters to amplify their voices.
When asked about who orchestrated the demolitions, Adebayo identified LASEMA and state government officials as being responsible. In response to these allegations, Dr. Oluwafemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Director-General of LASEMA, expressed disbelief at the claims. “How can an agency dedicated to safeguarding lives be accused of such recklessness?” he questioned.Dr. Oke-Osanyintolu emphasized that LASEMA’s role is strictly as a rescue agency and not involved in demolitions. He described the allegations as painful and unjust, asserting that all actions taken by LASEMA are transparent and communicated with the press throughout any incident.Efforts to obtain comments from SP Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages regarding this matter.
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