From Uchenna Inya, Abakaliki
No fewer than 800 Ebonyi indigenes in Ilaje, Lagos Island, Lagos State, who were displaced have been evacuated by the Ebonyi State Government.
The Lagos State Government allegedly demolished structures considered illegal in Ilaje, where many people from different states of the federation, including Ebonyi State, reside, leaving them stranded.
Governor Francis Nwifuru, upon being informed of the development, ordered the evacuation of Ebonyi people affected by the demolition.
Last week, over 800 persons, including children between the ages of 3 and 4 years, men, and women, were brought back to Ebonyi State through coaster buses that transported them to the state.
The Focal Person for Ebonyi people living in the diaspora, Chief Valentine Okike, told reporters in Abakaliki on Monday that the displaced persons were living in open places, including under bridges, after the demolition, exposing them to danger. This situation touched Governor Francis Nwifuru, prompting him to order their immediate evacuation.
Okike, who is also the State Commissioner for Special Duties, said, “We were officially informed on Monday that Ebonyi people in Ilaje, Lagos Island, were displaced, and our Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, ordered that I should go and bring them back to our dear state. I went to Lagos and brought them back.
“It was an eyesore seeing small children below 3 and 4 years living in an open place, under the bridge. These people really went through hardship, and it was on that basis that the Governor said, ‘No, I will not allow my people to continue to suffer,’ and immediately mandated me to bring them back home.
“Buses were made available to bring them back home, and their situation was terribly bad. I can authoritatively tell you that for those of them who wanted to come back, all of them are back home.
“It is not only Ebonyi people whose properties were demolished; there were other people from other states who were also affected by the demolition. But I can tell you that it is only the Ebonyi State Government that took that proactive measure by bringing them back home, and I can understand what the Governor was trying to avoid because he believes in good governance.”