In brazen disregard for a court order that ruled that the demolition of Otodo Gbame, a fishing, waterfront community in Lekki area of Lagos, is illegal and unconstitutional, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos on Tuesday deployed two gun boats to guard the land filled with demolished houses ahead of a court ruling on Wednesday.
Activists and community leaders told THE SIMON ATEBA NEWS that residents had to flee the area after the killings that took place on Saturday and Sunday.
Mr. Ambode ordered the demolition of Otodo Gbame on March 17, rendering about 5000 people, including women and children homeless – within hours.
Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo had ruled on January 26 that the illegal demolitions should be halted and a peaceful resolution be found. But the government pulled out of talks on March 29 after it started demolishing, then setting houses on fire at Otodo Gbame.
Many people have been shot, at least two have been killed while several are in hospitals with gunshot wounds.
With violence escalating, residents fled as the government brought in gunboats today.