South-West group exposes owners of demolished properties in Lagos

A group, South-West Professional Forum (SOWPROF), has revealled the identity of those that have been majorly affected by the recent demolition in Lagos State.

According to the group, majority of the illegal structures demolished in Lagos were owned by the Yoruba people.

In a statement signed by its assistant general secretary, Lateef Kayode, on Wednesday, the group dismissed insinuations that the demolition was targeting a particular group.

The group said attempts by a few people to ethnicise the environmental issue is self-serving.

“We have done diligent checks. We have a compilation of all the victims of the demolition in Lagos. We have done extensive compilation of the victims and the issues involved. Some 80 per cent of the victims of the demolished buildings are from the South-West region,” it said.

The group lament the introduction of ethnic politics to an attempt by the Lagos State Government to deal with serious environmental hazards that have led to flooding, deaths and that even threaten the future of the people of the state.

It, therefore, urged the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, not to be deterred by “parochial critiques” introducing ethnic politics into a purely environmental issue.

SOWPROF said it started the compilation of names of the landlords five months ago and that the names of owners of the demolished buildings are available for the public, adding that demolition of illegal buildings is a nationwide issue.

“It takes place in all the South-East, North-West, North-East and South-South. It has happened in Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Onitsha, Owerri, Aba, Kaduna, Ilorin, Makurdi and in many cities across the country.

“It is unfortunate that some people are exploring the fragile political situation in the country to cause disaffection using the demolition of illegal buildings in Lagos State as a pun in the game.”

SOWPROF said property owners should ensure they do not invest in land and property that infringe on existing environmental laws.