A huge detachment of armed mobile policemen has invaded Magodo Phase 2 Estate in Lagos ostensibly on the orders of the Inspector-General Police Alkali Baba Usman.
Their mission is to provide cover for the demolition and takeover of several marked buildings in the estate, many residents claim.
A giant bulldozer is already at the entrance of the estate trying to gain entrance to begin the demolition work.
The police, we gathered, had earlier led a group of hoodlums into the estate who marked virtually all the houses in the fully-built estate for demolition. The Lagos State Government has surprisingly remained silent.
But residents have formed a human shield at the entrance of the gate and a heavy crisis is brewing. Vehicles have been barred from entering or leaving the estate, leaving many residents and business owners stranded. They are allowed to leave the estate on foot but the screening process means there are long queues at the Shangisha and Secretariat gates of the estate.
“I’m going to the airport. I’m travelling today,” a woman was seen lamenting as her car was barred from leaving the area. “How do they want me to get to the airport? I don’t want to miss my flight.”
The operation reportedly began on Tuesday. This morning, there was an order from ‘above,’ we gathered.
The bulldozer has now left.
Residents have been informed that the armed mobile policemen have been ordered to return to base. They have not left though.
Residents have also been told talks are going on in high places to resolve the standoff.
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But the residents are not buying it. They are still staying around the entrance gate. Some have vowed to keep vigil at the gate for as long as necessary.
The tension has died down a bit. But the atmosphere is still a bit charged.
