By Pascal Oparada
Unnamed task force officials, purportedly from Lagos State government on Tuesday, March 6, 2018, stormed Ikate Elegushi Beach Area, behind Goshen Estate, Lekki and began forceful eviction of residents.
Eyewitness said the officials, who came with armed policemen without prior notice, gave the residents only five minutes to evacuate. The source also said that they burnt down houses and forcefully threw properties out of the houses.
“They just came all of a sudden and asked everyone to vacate in five minutes,” Ibukun Olukoya, one of the residents told TheNiche.
“We’re humans for God’s sake. What can we possible do or pack in five minutes”, Ibukun said.
According to her, there was no prior notice to given the residents. She said they understand that the land belongs to the Lagos State government, but they were not given sufficient time to move.
Another resident told TheNiche that they have no where to go following the short eviction notice given to them.
“There are sick people and little children here who are stranded and have no where to go”, another resident told TheNiche.
She said tthat one Godspower has been invalid with hiccups for years and is completely distraught.
Officials of the Task Force refused to speak to reporters or allow their photographs taken.
Lagos State government has come under criticism lately for increase in forceful demolition of houses of people allegedly occupying their land.
In November 2017, the state came under international scrutiny after it demolished Otodo Gbame area amid global outcry from civil rights groups and other agencies.
The Otodo Gbame demolition resulted in several deaths of the residents.