The Lagos State Task Force has accused a resident of Festac Town of leading a violent attack on its officials during a demolition exercise conducted by the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).
In a viral video circulating online, a woman, identified simply as ‘Oneway’, alleged that her husband and several others were unjustly arrested by task force officers during the operation on 6th Avenue, Ifanyi Close, Festac Town.
According to her, the officers claimed that somebody threw stones at them from her compound.
She argued that it was not possible that somebody from her house did that, showing a roof covering over her fence.
Oneway suggested that the stones could have come from the debris as the bulldozer was pulling down the structure next to hers.
However, reacting to the viral video in a statement on Monday signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the Task force described the woman’s claims as false and misleading.
It said her husband, who allegedly led the assault, mobilised others to obstruct the lawful demolition of structures encroaching on FHA property.
According to the statement, the suspects attacked Task force personnel with stones, iron rods, and other dangerous objects after their attempt to bribe the demolition team to halt the exercise failed.
“the woman’s husband and his accomplices initially attempted to induce the demolition team financially to halt the exercise. When this failed, they resorted to violent resistance, using stones, iron rods, and other objects to attack the Taskforce officers who were on ground to provide security support and ensure law and order, after which normalcy was promptly restored in the area,” the Agency said.
Chairman of the Lagos State Task Force, CSP Adetayo Akerele, warned that preventing law enforcement officers from performing their lawful duties is a serious offence.
““The Lagos State Taskforce will continue to ensure strict compliance to safeguard lives, prevent violent protests, and maintain order during enforcement-for-compliance activities. While such operations may not always appear public-friendly, they remain essential to uphold sanity and law across the State,” he stated,” Akerele stated.
The Task Force urged members of the public to disregard false narratives intended to mislead or incite sentiments.
“The Agency remains resolute in its mandate to rid the State of lawlessness and all forms of criminality, while upholding professionalism and civility in the discharge of its duties,” the statement added.
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