The residents of Oke-Egan community in the Eleko area of Ajah, Lagos, have appealed to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of the state and House of Assembly members to intervene on their resettlement.
On Wednesday, at least 500 affected residents stormed the State House of Assembly complex, demanding compensation over the demolition of their houses.
NAN reports that the affected residents of the community blocked the main entrance of Lagos House, wielding enormous banners bearing messages in strong letters and placards expressing their grievances.
“We have been demoralised, nowhere to go, we want our properties back,” the inscription reads.
“Our hearts bleed; “We now roam the streets with nowhere to stay; Our children are crying; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, your children are homeless; Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, please come to our rescue.
Taiwo Alalade who spoke on behalf of the protesters lamented that her entire family, including three toddlers and her elderly mother, had been sleeping out in the open after their house was demolished.
“One of us has four buildings here. We have all the papers. They demolished all four buildings. Now, I don’t have anywhere to go,” she said.
“Sanwo-Olu should help us so that they will stop the demolition. We were not informed before they started demolishing our houses. We don’t know these people at all.
““I went to work. When I came back, I saw my house in ashes. This shirt I put on has been on me for three days now.
“All my brothers and sisters don’t have anywhere to go. All our belongings have been lost. Where do they want us to go? Where do we start from?
“The state government should tell us where they want us to go. They have succeeded in rendering us homeless. We have been sleeping outside since our house was burnt. If it’s raining, we only cover ourselves with a canopy.”
Abiodun Ajayi, another affected residents expressed his distress, saying that protesters and Oba Akiolu of Lagos had written a letter because they want to be lawful.
Noheem Adams, majority leader, accompanied by Oladipupo Ajomale, Fatai Mojeed and Tijani Suraju, addressed the protesters and commended them for their peaceful conduct .
He said that their letter would be presented to Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the assembly, adding that necessary actions will be taken.
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