- Halimah Olamide
There is tension in the Fagba, Iju area of Lagos state on Saturday as victims of the early burning of illegal structures by the state Task Force team reportedly made attempt to regroup to attacks residents.
NPO Reported earlier that the Olayinka Egbeyemi-led Task Force had stormed the Fagba shanties very early in the morning after which illegal structures were set on fire for enforce the state’s quit order given many months ago.
Goods and makeshift houses belonging to many of the illegal residents and occupants had gone up in flames.
There are reports that majority of those living in the area are homeless immigrants and some youths from the Northern part of the country. Many of them are into menial jobs such as commercial bike riders popularly called Okada and cart pushers.
Angered by the demolition of their makeshift houses, the victims were said to have been mobilising themselves for attacks.
The anxieties over possible attacks on residents had created tension in the area.
However, the Divisional Police Officer of the Iju Division, Mrs. Toyosi Shokunbi, said the area was calm, saying most people were just apprehensive over nothing.
“Our men are there and maintaining peace and we shall ensure there is no breakdown of law and order,” she told the NPO Reports Saturday.
Command PRO, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement confirmed that the Task Force was at the area in the morning to enforce the quit notice.
“This morning, Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, led his squad, Lagos State Taskforce, and Lagos Police Command’s Tactical Team in the removal of shanties on the railway line in Abbatoir and Iju-Fagba,” Hundeyin said
But a businessman in the area raised fears of possible attacks if security agencies fail to maintain a good presence.
“There are fears and we dont think its enough to have just a few policemen. They should bring soldiers here to complement because we have had bitter experiences of these people before. They must be proactive,” he said