Residents of Jakande Ilasan Housing Estate have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the ongoing demolition of their buildings by the Lagos State government.
They also appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to order the operatives of the Task Force to release those arrested while adequate medical care is given to others receiving treatment in hospital from gunshot wounds.
It was gathered that officials of the state’s Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development assisted by men of the Task Force demolished several buildings and shanties in the estate in the operation that commenced on Sunday.
The spokesman of the group, Andrew Oretan, made this appeal during a peaceful protest embarked upon by residents at the site of the demolished structures.
He said that residents who were evictees from Maroko in 1990 have been traumatised by officials of the state government adding that they are ready for dialogue to resolve the matter.
Oretan explained that they are not against the proposed coastal road by the government in the area, saying the step taken through the forceful ejection is wrong and not civil.
On his part, the president of the Landlord Association, Prince Seyi Orioye lamented that over 10,000 residents were affected by the demolition exercise.
He noted that they have allocation letters from the government when they relocated them from Maroko 34 years ago without any development from the government in the estate.
Orioye insists that they are law abiding citizens of the country and not illegal occupants of the place saying no one should send them away.
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