Lekki community protests forceful takeover, demolition of houses

Lagos police rescue suspected terrorist from lynching

Residents of Okegun Museyo Community in Ibeju Lekki, yesterday, appealed to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to halt the demolition of their houses by the New Town Development Authority (NTDA).

Brandishing placards with various inscriptions, the residents staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Some of the inscriptions read: ‘Gov Sanwo-Olu save our land’; ‘Save us from DPKAY and Amen Estate’; ‘DPKAY and Amen Estate want to make us homeless, save our lands’ and ‘Gov. Sanwo-Olu say no to DP KAY and Amen Estate’.

The residents claimed that they staged a protest on March 14, but there was no intervention on the matter, as soldiers had been moved to the community to supervise the demolition of their houses.

They appealed to the governor to come to their rescue, as a matter of urgency, and halt the threats to demolish their homes and forcefully acquire their lands.

In a protest letter addressed to the governor and signed by the Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman, Adeagbo Adedeji and Baale of the community, Olusegun Museyo, they lamented the trespass to, interference with, demolition of parts of the community homes and houses as well as threats to take over the entire community land by certain land grabbers masquerading as real estate development company, allegedly backed by security agents.

It read: “As if the provoking and worrisome activities of the so-called real estate company were not worrisome enough and as the community tries to sort out things with them, the community woke up a few days ago and saw agents of the NTDA marking houses in the community for demolition.

“It took the combined efforts of the CDA executive members and elders in the community to stop youths in the community from fighting the NTDA agents, who were marking the community homes for demolition.

“As law abiding citizens of this state, we are appealing to your Excellency to graciously intervene and come to the rescue of the community from both the Real Estate Developers and the NTDA. Your Excellency’s intervention will avert what may lead to break down of law and order in the Community if nothing is done.”

Addressing the protesters, Director, Civic Engagement, Ayodeji Haruna, said their grievances would be taken to the governor for immediate resolution.

MEANWHILE, the Lagos State Police Command, yesterday, saved a suspected terrorist, Sanni Gafar, 29, from mob action in the Ijora Badia area of the state.

According to the police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, Gafar was dressed as a woman as of the time of the mob action.

Hundeyin said: “ Preliminary investigation showed that the male suspect, who many alleged disguised as a woman, is Sanni Gafar, aged 29.

“He was found with a bag containing three hammers, six screwdrivers, one pair of pliers, one chisel, five spanners, three rolls of black cellophane, cable wires, 20mm bending spring, a pair of black trousers, and a plastic box of clips. Investigation is ongoing to ascertain his claim that he is an electrician.”