Three years after the demolition and forced eviction of residents in parts of Oworonshoki, Lagos State, the Oworo Youths Forum has called on the state government to compensate and resettle victims of the exercise.
The group, in a statement signed by its President, Yemi Aderibigbe, and Public Relations Officer, Towolawi Jamiu, on Wednesday, said hundreds of displaced residents were still without proper shelter.
According to the forum, the demolition exercise affected communities stretching from Odunfa Street to Lone Street, through Precious Seed and down to Ojileru Street.
“Three years after the demolition and forced eviction of residents of Oworonshoki began, the devastating consequences of the exercise continue to haunt thousands of residents across the affected communities,” the group said.
It described the situation as a “prolonged humanitarian crisis”, alleging that several residents had died as a result of the demolitions and the difficult conditions that followed.
“What began with the destruction of homes and properties has become a prolonged humanitarian crisis. Several residents have lost their lives as a result of the demolitions and the harsh conditions that followed, while many others are battling various illnesses worsened by displacement, trauma, exposure and inadequate access to healthcare,” the statement read.
The forum said hundreds of victims, including women and children, continued to sleep in the open at night along the Oworonshoki Car Wash Expressway and in different parts of the community.
“More disturbing is the painful reality that hundreds of victims are still without proper shelter. As we write this statement, hundreds of displaced residents, including women and children, continue to sleep in the open at night along the Oworonshoki Car Wash Expressway and within different parts of the community,” it said.
The group added that the displacement had also affected the education of children, while vulnerable residents were exposed to harsh weather, insecurity and disease.
It faulted the Lagos State Government for failing to provide adequate compensation, resettlement and support for what it described as genuine victims of the demolition.
“The Oworo Youths Forum (OYF) finds it unacceptable that three years after the demolitions began, victims are still left to bear the devastating consequences without adequate compensation, resettlement or meaningful support,” the statement said.
The forum called on the state government to “take responsibility and be held accountable for the consequences of the demolition exercise.”
“The government must provide adequate compensation, resettlement and support for all genuine victims whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed,” it added.
The group also criticised the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying its legacy should be judged partly by how it treated residents affected by the demolition.
“The Sanwo-Olu administration must understand that its legacy will not be defined only by its projects and achievements, but also by how it treated the thousands of Oworonshoki residents whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed under its watch,” the forum said.
It added that the ruins left behind in Oworonshoki would remain a “painful reminder” of the administration unless justice was done and adequate compensation provided to victims.
“OYF will continue to demand accountability, justice and dignity for the victims of the Oworonshoki demolitions. No government should be allowed to destroy people’s homes and livelihoods and simply walk away from the consequences,” the group said.
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