“Ambode has been looking for ways to make us homeless” – Lagos shanti dweller
A demolition exercise that followed a mudslide in which Faizan Muritala, 16, died has rendered hundreds of people homeless.
The tragedy occurred at Kuata shanti settlement in Agidingbi, Ikeja. Shanti homes were demolished by the Lagos State government on Tuesday, the day the tragedy occurred.
Some residents have condemned the government for what they call “a lack of human pity”. At least 500 people have been rendered homeless after the demolition. Businesses were also affected.
Audu one of the bitter residents said “the government never wanted us here before now, they have been looking for how to render us homeless. This is just an opportunity for them, see, how they destroyed all our things!”
When asked where he would move to, he lamented, “I don’t know. I don’t have a place to stay, I don’t even know what to do right now”.
According to another resident who refused to disclose her name “at least the government should have notified us first before coming to pull down our properties. This is wickedness.”
Another resident blamed the “fool” who alerted the government to the deadly mudslide.
Governor Akinwunmi and his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) say they want to transform the state into a “mega city”. It’s unlikely slums and shantis would make it to the “glorious city”.
The government said Kuata shanti community was illegal. The state said more people would die if dwellers are not forced out of the dangerous settlement.
