The Lagos State Government on Thursday denied the unsubstantiated claims being circulated in some sections of the media and on social media of its involvement in the fire incident that took place in Otodo Gbame Community in Lekki area of the State last Wednesday.

The State Government specifically punctured media reports suggesting that it authorized the burning down of the community, saying that the allegation was far from the truth.

The State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, in a statement, said the State Government shared in the painful loss of the residents but explained that from Police reports and evaluation by the government, the waterfront community was razed by the fire incident that happened as a result of the ethic clash that occurred between the Egun and Yoruba residents within the community.

Ayorinde said while the Police succeeded in bringing to a halt the deadly clashes which occurred as a result of continued disagreement over tolling and other sundry issues, the large part of the shanties had already been torched and razed down before the combined team of fire brigade and emergency rescue officers got to the scene on the night of Wednesday, November 9th.

“It is therefore unfortunate that a few aggrieved persons and fifth columnists will choose to blame the government and law enforcement officers that rose to the occasion in ensuring that the clashes did not degenerate further and more importantly that the arson did not spread into Lekki Phase 1,” Ayorinde said.

The Commissioner said while the Otodo Gbame shanties clearly fell within the prime waterfront areas where Lagos State Government would prefer to have better development, befitting of a prime area in a mega city, it was mindful of the fundamental rights of the various residents living in the area.

According to Ayorinde, while government was not unaware of the legal tussle over the areas and the rights of citizens to stage peaceful protests, relevant agencies of government had since been deployed to provide succor and lessen the pains of the displaced people.

The statement warned both local and foreign individuals or groups that may be using the unfortunate incident to perpetrate wrong and unfounded information to desist from taking advantage of an unfortunate development and the plight of the former residents of Otodo Gbame, adding that the State Government would not be blackmailed with cheap, sensational interjections from the onerous task of better securing Lagos, improving on urban development and looking after the infrastructural needs of all residents.

The Commissioner also urged the people of the State to refrain from any act that could threaten the peace of their areas and pledged that government would continue to ensure the safety of lives and property and promote peaceful coexistence needed for speedy development of the State.

Similarly, the State Government has also urged residents especially users of social media as a source of news and social interaction to be mindful of the source of their information to avoid spreading false and unsubstantiated materials.

Ayorinde said a case at hand is the alleged brutalization and killing of a 7-year-old pilferer that reportedly happened at a certain location in Lagos being circulated on social media.

According to the Commissioner, the Lagos State Police command has duly issued a statement questioning the authenticity of the story while asking for eye witnesses or anyone with verifiable information to come forward with information as the Police continue with their investigation.

“While we condemn in its entirety every form of crime and jungle justice, it is important to plead caution whenever a human life is involved. So far, there is no indication that the dastardly act being peddled on social media happened anywhere in Lagos State or that it is a recent case.

“The Police have promised to carry out further checks and will welcome every useful information, but available information at the moment does not suggest that such killing happened last Saturday at either Orile-Iganmu or Badagry. There is no any corpse that fits the description in any area being touted; just as the location of anyone with useful information to corroborate the sad tale being peddled cannot be established,” he said.



SIGNED
STEVE AYORINDE
STATE COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND STRATEGY
LAGOS STATE
NOVEMBER 17, 2016

http://www.metronaija.com/2016/11/lagos-denies-demolishing-etodo-gbame.html

cc: lalasticlala mynd44

Even if they did?

Oops!!!

Space for sale..

Hmm,, Nigerian govt and lying?!!!

The way govmnt dey deny somtin eeh.... wu demolish am na

Hmm

autonomous22:
The way govmnt dey deny somtin eeh.... wu demolish am na

Na Donald Trump

Government will always deny it...we're watching


Check my signature

Next is to try to ban social media

Ok

Oga oooo

itesiwaju Eko

Mr Ambode continue.. God watching you in 5D....

Current Price of Roofing tiles check here >> https://www.nairaland.com/3364135/roofing-sheets-cost-various-types

isn't that their speciality

lt is now left to the Egun and Yoruba residents in that community to deny there was no clash that led to the fire!

metronaija2:
The Lagos
Similarly, the State Government has also urged residents especially users of social media as a source of news and social interaction to be mindful of the source of their information to avoid spreading false and unsubstantiated materials.
Ayorinde said a case at hand is the alleged brutalization and killing of a 7-year-old pilferer that reportedly happened at a certain location in Lagos being circulated on social media.
According to the Commissioner, the Lagos State Police command has duly issued a statement questioning the authenticity of the story while asking for eye witnesses or anyone with verifiable information to come forward with information as the Police continue with their investigation.
“While we condemn in its entirety every form of crime and jungle justice, it is important to plead caution whenever a human life is involved. So far, there is no indication that the dastardly act being peddled on social media happened anywhere in Lagos State or that it is a recent case.
“The Police have promised to carry out further checks and will welcome every useful information, but available information at the moment does not suggest that such killing happened last Saturday at either Orile-Iganmu or Badagry. There is no any corpse that fits the description in any area being touted; just as the location of anyone with useful information to corroborate the sad tale being peddled cannot be established,” he said.
SIGNED
STEVE AYORINDE
STATE COMMISSIONER FOR INFORMATION AND STRATEGY
LAGOS STATE
NOVEMBER 17, 2016
http://www.metronaija.com/2016/11/lagos-denies-demolishing-etodo-gbame.html
cc: lalasticlala mynd44

You spoke too soon Mr Commissioner. The above incident did happen in Orile Lagos and has been confirmed by multiple sources.

I wonder why an ordinary citizen like me has more access to information than you a COMMISIONER FOR INFORMATION! SMH!!

The same pattern used in demolishing Tejuosho market

ok

Pavore9:
lt is now left to the Egun and Yoruba residents in that community to deny there was no clash that led to the fire!

They can't deny that. However clash happened. The report I read about the clash showed a group set fire to the wooden houses

Typical Nigerian govt

The generation of this Politician won't suffer much here on earth but in he'll because already made us know that men will do evil "continually" in these times which mean that evil will Thrive very very well. They will get away with it here on Earth as the grace of GOD is fully activated on man. The devil has hid himself inside men as demons to perpetuate this evils cause GOD Loves man and will give room for salvation.
Our best bet is to seek GOD really as only violence is the other way to revolt any form of govt of this times. Death and Famine will creep in and the enemy will raise a guerilla thug that will kill, maim, rape and commit all sorts of things. GOD is the only way out of this present wickedness which is why satan has polluted many churches just to faint the hope of men. Seek JESUS TODAY. Repent of your sins now.

Ambode and Oba of Elegushi, posterity willl judge.
Karma is never tired of avenging the blood of drowned children and pregnant women.

Below are the reasons Oba of Elegushi and Ambode wants that land


The Commissioner said while the Otodo Gbame shanties clearly fell within the prime waterfront areas where Lagos State Government would prefer to have better development, befitting of a prime area in a mega city, it was mindful of the fundamental rights of the various residents living in the area.

That has always been the crude strategy used by some state to forcefully got people out of slums or chanties. We have seen similar cases in the state. Though in this particular situation nobody can tell but anything is possible.