Lagos, Nigeria – September 23, 2024 – Tensions are running high in Ayetoro, a community in Lagos State, as residents face increasing anxiety over looming threats of property destruction. Eyewitnesses and community members have accused the Lagos State Government of orchestrating violent demolitions with the aid of mobile police units (Mopol) and hired thugs, raising concerns about the government’s handling of urban development and property disputes.
Reports from residents in Ayetoro indicate that on Friday, government forces and local thugs allegedly stormed the area, setting houses ablaze and forcefully evicting families from their homes. The operation, which was said to have started early in the morning, left many displaced and their properties in ruins. Eyewitnesses claim that the actions were violent, with government officials turning a deaf ear to pleas from the affected residents.
Rumors of the impending demolition had been circulating for days, but many in the community held onto hope that the government would reconsider. “We heard that they would come, but we didn’t believe they would go this far. Now we have lost everything,” said one resident, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal.
As homes were reduced to rubble, residents described the situation as chaotic, with heavily armed mobile police officers overseeing the destruction. Several residents allege that the demolition was carried out without proper notice or compensation, further aggravating the situation.
One local community leader, who also spoke under condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over the government’s handling of the situation. “This is not the first time this has happened. They come in the name of development but leave us with nothing. We are left to pick up the pieces, and no one listens to our cries.”
Many residents in Ayetoro believe the demolitions are part of a larger scheme by the Lagos State Government to clear land for high-profile developments. Critics argue that the government is disregarding the rights of residents in its quest for urban renewal, citing a lack of proper legal procedures and an absence of compensation plans for displaced families.
Human rights groups have also voiced their concerns, calling for an investigation into the alleged involvement of Mopol officers and hired thugs in the operation. “This is an unlawful act. The government must answer for the violence perpetrated against innocent civilians,” said a representative from a Lagos-based human rights organization.
As the destruction continues, local and international observers are keeping a close watch on how the Lagos State Government handles the fallout. Residents are demanding answers and justice, with many taking to social media to express their outrage. Several legal advocacy groups have also signaled their intention to take the matter to court, arguing that the demolition is a violation of the residents’ constitutional rights.
A statement from the Lagos State Government has yet to be issued, leaving the public and media in suspense about the justification for the demolitions. Calls to government representatives have gone unanswered, and officials have not made any public appearances to address the crisis in Ayetoro.
For many in Ayetoro, the future is uncertain. Displaced families are left without shelter, and children have been unable to attend school due to the chaos. “Where do we go from here?” asked a distraught mother of three. “We have no home, no belongings. Everything has been taken from us.”
The Lagos State Government’s actions have cast a dark shadow over its development initiatives, leaving many to wonder whether urban renewal can coexist with the rights and well-being of the city’s residents.
As Ayetoro residents sift through the ashes of what once was, they are preparing for a long battle ahead—one that they hope will finally hold those responsible to account.
