Residents of Oworonshoki in Kosofe Local Government Area have accused the Lagos State government of betrayal following the demolition of their properties, despite their compliance with official restructuring requirements.
The affected residents claim they had submitted all required documentation and begun renovation processes as demanded by authorities before the unexpected demolition exercise occurred.
Mrs. Adeyeye Dosunmu, one of the demolition victims, recounted the distressing circumstances of the operation during a Channels TV interview. She described how authorities conducted the exercise in the early hours without adequate notice. "I don't have anywhere to go. That's my husband's graveyard. He said when he dies, I should bury him on his land. So I don't have anywhere else to go," Dosunmu stated, highlighting her emotional attachment to the property.
She detailed the manner of the demolition exercise. "They came at 12:00 a.m. in the night, wearing masks and accompanied by a full force of police. They didn't even allow many of us to take anything out," she revealed.
The Lagos State government has defended the demolition exercise, claiming the affected buildings were substandard and posed safety risks to occupants. Officials argued that the demolitions were necessary to protect public safety.
However, residents have challenged this justification, suggesting alternative motives behind the government's actions. One resident disputed the safety claims, asserting that the buildings met acceptable standards. "I have video evidence of all the buildings here. None of them are substandard," the resident stated, challenging the government's official reasoning for the demolition exercise.
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