 |
| Tradefair. |
More than 19 buildings were demolished on Thursday at the New Mandela Plaza, located within the well-known Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, as the state government carried out a large-scale demolition under tight security.
The demolition was conducted under a heavy security presence, with a convoy of vehicles from the Lagos State Task Force, Rapid Response Squad, and tactical units deployed around the plaza. The stern-looking personnel restricted entry into the premises and turned away traders who attempted to film the demolition.
At the time this report was compiled, selected buildings within the plaza had already been brought down, triggering outrage from shop owners who claimed that no prior notice had been given.
A trader, who spoke to the media hesitantly, remarked, “We don’t even know the reason for the demolition. That’s why you see people moving up and down, asking questions.” Another suggested that the buildings might have been marked for being too close to a nearby canal.
One clearly upset plaza owner, who arrived to find his shop being demolished, shouted from his vehicle that no notice had been issued before the bulldozers commenced work. Some shop assistants expressed sorrow that their employers’ goods, which were still locked inside the shops, had been destroyed along with the structures.
No fewer than 19 buildings, each estimated to be worth over N150 million, were involved in the demolition. “If the government doesn’t want companies or development here, they should just come out and say it. People have invested their life savings here. Over 19 buildings are in that plaza,” a trader said angrily.
When approached for clarification on the involvement of the Task Force, its Chairman stated that the operation did not originate from his office. He explained, “Sometimes, security agencies in the state seek the backup of the Task Force to secure the environment. That does not mean they initiated the process. However, if such reports come to my table, I will let you know.”
As of press time, the Lagos State Government had not released an official statement regarding the demolition, but security agents remained on site to prevent any potential unrest.
.jpeg)
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!