Reps to Probe Destruction of Houses By ‘Naval Officers’ in Lagos
POLITICS DIGEST – The House of Representatives has resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to find out the causes of the mayhem in Amumo-Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos State allegedly by naval Officers.
The purpose, among others, is to provide remedy for the problem, compensate the people who were displaced and identify the perpetrators of oil bunkering, for sanctions to be meted out to them to avoid a repeat of such a dastardly behaviour.
The resolution followed a motion by a lawmaker, Oghene Emma Egoh, titled:
“Need to Investigate the Destruction of Homes and Belongings at Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency in Lagos State by Naval Officers.”
Moving the motion, the lawmaker said: “The House notes that the people of Abule Glass, Abule Elekpa, Bobukoji, Idimangoro, Babakati, Kopime, Akaraba, lnagbe, Abule Kamoru, Abule Alfa, Sokoto, Laje, Sopo beach, Kobena beach and Lishe beach are indigenous communities and residents of the area in Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency, Lagos State who have lived together for over 300 years.
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“Also notes that on January 16, 2020 there were unprecedented attacks, which led to the destruction of properties in the above areas that were orchestrated by unknown persons wearing naval uniforms.”
“Be informed that residents of the communities in the riverine areas of Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State, woke up to see bulldozers and caterpillars, fully protected by people in Navy uniform, storming the areas and destroying houses and belongings of those indigenous communities that have traditional rulers and baales.
“Worried that no notice whatsoever was given to them, as they were taken unawares, and could not salvage any of their belongings before they were crushed into rubble and they were then sent out of their lands.
“Concerned that the displaced persons of the communities numbering over 10,000 women, children, men, obas and baales are stranded without being paid any compensation.
“Aware that the people that carried out the ejection and the destruction of the properties claimed that it was due to illegal oil bunkering activities being carried out in the affected communities.
“Observe that even if there was oil bunkering in the areas, it was not everybody in the communities that was involved and therefore, it was not fair that the whole communities were punished for the offences of a few unruly hoodlums in the areas.”
When the Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase, called for a voice vote, the motion was passed without dissent.
