Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has promised to compensate victims of the ethnic clash between the Yoruba and Hausas which held last week in the Fagba area of the state.
Speaking during a visit to the community, today, to assess the level of destruction of properties caused by the clash, Sanwo-Olu said the State Government would be hard and very decisive on miscreants if they refuse to turn a new leaf.
Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folasade Jaji, Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab and Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, assured residents of Fagba who were affected by the ethnic clashes that Lagos State Government would assist to alleviate their pains.
He said: “The level of destruction that I have seen here is colossal; it is unfortunate. Enumeration would start immediately by the two local governments.
“The council chairmen and all the community leaders will come together and come up with a list of those whose properties have been destroyed.”
Stressing the need for miscreants to vacate the area, Sanwo-Olu said: “We are coming to clear this whole place and we will make sure that you do not disturb or harass the peace-loving people that we have in this neighborhood.
“We have Hausa community; Igbo community and Yoruba community and they are living well. You need to look for what to do; we will not allow you to come and tarnish the image and the peace that we have in Fagba and in Lagos State as a whole.
“We will make sure that we also come and see what we can do to help the youth. And once we do that, we are giving you an opportunity to remain law abiding and be peaceful. If not, we will be hard and be very decisive on all of you.”
Speaking on his administration’s readiness to assist those affected by the violence, he promised to commence the compensation as soon as possible.
He said: “Please let peace reign among us here. That is why I have to come here myself today and I have seen the destruction and it is a big shame on all of us. I want to appeal, please let peace reign. Let us live like brothers and sisters in Lagos.
“We will do the compensation as soon as we get the breakdown of the enumeration. We might not be able to give you all the full benefits but we will ensure that we do not leave you alone.
“Please let’s be sincere about it. If you don’t have more than two shops in this place, don’t say you have eight. If you don’t have more than two rooms, don’t say you have nine rooms. That is the only way government can assist well and we can help.
“I have come here to see things myself and I can assure you that we will not leave you alone. I can assure you that we will not leave you to bear the pains alone. Government will come and we will try and help out.”
