Makoko Invasion: Residents Demand Justice As Death Toll Rises To Four

Afeez Hanafi

Residents of Ori-Oke community in the Makoko area of Lagos on Friday lamented bitterly while counting their losses following an invasion of the place by officials of the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers and armed policemen.

This comes after a revelation by a human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, that the number of deaths from the incident had risen from two to four.

Adegboruwa, who is the counsel for the community, had while speaking with Saturday PUNCH, estimated properties destroyed during the invasion at over N100m.

Our correspondent had reported that the task force officials led by policemen had stormed the community around 10:00am on Thursday to enforce an eviction order, burning a church and several shops in the process.

The operatives reportedly shot indiscriminately during the raid, killing two residents – Kola Iwalokun and Emola Julius – on the spot and also leaving others with gunshot injuries.

Angry youths, in a reprisal, were said to have attacked a police post in the area and destroyed some property, including vehicles.

The task force Chairman, Akinjide Bakare, was evasive when our correspondent contacted him on the telephone for comments.

However, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti, confirmed that one person was killed, adding that the police were called to rescue the task force officials allegedly attacked by the youths.

Adegboruwa, who spoke for the community, told Saturday PUNCHon Friday that two other residents, Ade Okunowo and Seyi Akintimeyin, had also died from injuries sustained.

According to him, eight people, including a pastor, were still receiving treatment while seven others are still being detained by the police.

He said, “Four persons have been confirmed dead. One of those arrested, Mr. Olia, a lawyer, was arraigned in court today (Friday) on trump-up charges. The residents have resolved to remain in that community.

“The Commissioner of Police has sent policemen for protection. He claimed ignorance of what happened and he promised to fish out those that carried out the illegal raid. The governor has also reached us through the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.”

Source:- Punchng (Punch Online Newpaper)