Two years after what they termed “forced eviction, demolition and displacement of about 10,000 residents of Oworonshoki area by the Lagos State government,” the Take It Back Movement (TIB) and the Coalition of Victims of Oworonshoki Illegal Demolition have called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately award compensation and resettle the affected victims.

The groups made the demand in a statement jointly signed by Opeyemi Ogunlami for TIB and Opeyemi Ogunlami for the Coalition of Victims of Oworonshoki Illegal Demolition.

They condemned the alleged nonchalant attitude, total negligence, and continuous threats by the government to the poor people of Oke-Eri, Odun’fa, Lone Street, Ogo-Oluwa, Precious Seed, and Coker environs of Oworonshoki.

“Today, we need to remind the general public that it will be almost two years since the Lagos State Police Task Force, under the directives of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, invaded the Mosafejo and Precious Seed communities of Oworonshoki with bulldozers and armed police officers, thereby burning and demolishing houses without even allowing people to take their properties.

“About 1,000 homes were either burnt or knocked down by bulldozers, rendering over 10,000 residents homeless. We also want to bring it to public notice that we have recorded 22 deaths, including children, women, and men, as a result of the aftermath of the demolition. The causes of these deaths include, but are not limited to, shock, hypertension, and other related diseases.

“To date, we still have thousands of victims who are homeless and whose means of livelihood have been ruined. This also includes hundreds of children whose education has been disrupted due to the forceful demolition. The main aim of this forceful eviction by the Lagos State government is to grab land from the poor and redistribute it to the rich and powerful through private developers,” the statement read.

The groups also drew the attention of Governor Sanwo-Olu to the continuous threat of further demolitions by both state and non-state actors, adding: “It’s so sad and pathetic that, to date, the Governor has turned a deaf ear to the plight of the victims.

“Instead of awarding compensation, including the resettlement of the thousands who have been unjustly displaced, made homeless, and left without property, Lagos State continues to issue threats under different guises to evict more people from the community. We need to reiterate that the right to shelter is a fundamental human right that is guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

“Finally, we call on Governor Sanwo-Olu to immediately award compensation, including the resettlement of the thousands who have been unjustly displaced, made homeless, and left without property. He must also pay a visit to the families of the 22 persons who have lost their lives as a result of the demolition and prosecute those responsible for this ruinous act. We also insist that the families of the deceased must be adequately compensated.

“The victims of this barbaric act are not relenting in their struggle to get their homes back and will continue to voice their agitation through all possible democratic means. We refuse to be the lamb sacrificed on the altar of the insatiable greed of an elite minority.”