Building Demolition: Igbo youths accuse Sanwo-Olu of fanning embers of war

VANGUARD

Igbo youths under the aegis of Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, have expressed rage over the demolition of buildings in Ajao Estate by the Lagos State Government, accusing Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of fanning the embers of ethnic hostilities.

At least 13 houses have been pulled down at the estate since the demolition began on Friday.

General Manager, of Lagos State Building Control Agency, LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, said the affected buildings lacked required approvals and were cited around airport-restricted areas and on aviation fuel pipelines.

Describing the situation as a disaster waiting to happen, Oki said the buildings could cause a pipeline explosion in the future which according to him, could result in loss of lives and properties.

The LASBCA boss also said the property owners lacked the required documents as approvals for construction in that area.

But in a swift response, COSEYL claimed that most of the affected buildings were owned by Igbo people living in Lagos.

The apex Igbo socio-political youth group in the South East dismissed the excuses by LASBCA as flimsy, alleging that the action was a political vendetta.

It claimed it was targeted against Ndigbo for voting against the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, in Lagos during the just-concluded general elections.

COSEYL in a press statement by its President General, Goodluck Ibem, called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to immediately halt the action to avoid igniting civil unrest.

The statement read in part: COSEYL is enraged over the massive demolition and destruction of houses and property belonging to Igbos in Rockview Ajao Estate and other areas supposedly won by the Labour Party, LP, during the presidential elections in Lagos State.

“This is wicked, barbaric, senseless, and stupidity of the highest order.

“Governor Sanwu-Olu is gradually building up anarchy and a war that might consume the entire Nation. We warn him to retrace his step and stop forthwith the demolition of Igbo houses in Lagos State.”

COSEYL further alleged that the situation had confirmed that the Lagos State Government had explanations to offer in the fire outbreaks in some Igbo-dominated markets in Lagos.

It challenged the State Government to explain all it knew about ” the attacks and killings of Igbos during the general elections in Lagos”.