#EndSARS: Gov Sanwo-Olu Visits Razed Oba’s Palace, Police Stations, Public Offices, Others

BY CHINYERE OBIORA, LAGOS – Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has again pleaded for calm among residents of the State as he embarked on official visits to areas vandalised and razed by suspected hooligans that hijacked the #EndSARS protests.

It was a visibly disturbed Sanwo-Olu, who led his team comprising some Commissioners and other political appointees, on Friday to tour different hot spots torched by hoodlums across the state.

For two consecutive days, the hoodlums went haywire, vandalising and burning down both public and private property for two consecutive days, including the Ova of Lagos Palace where they carted away his Staff of Office.

At the Oba of Lagos’ palace, the governor, who expressed shock at the level of destruction, said the peace has been restored to the community.

He also assured the people that the revered monarch is well and safe, adding that he will soon return to the palace and formally address the people.

In the mayhem, many Local Government Secretariats; various Police Stations; Television Continental (TVC) head office; The Nation Newspaper; Shops and Departmental Stores among other facilities were freely looted.

Places also torched were Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC); BRT Park at Berger; Bus terminals; VIO office Ojodu Berger; historic government buildings; Private malls; Banks’ ATM; City Hall; and Lekki Toll Gate

Among places visited by the governor and his team were Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government; Ajeromi Divisional Police Headquarters, Layeni; Lagos State Public Works Office at Ojodu;
Amukoko Police Stations; and Ojodu Bus Rapid Transit Terminal.

The Governor was conducted round Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Secretariat, utterly destroyed with all vehicles parked in the premises damaged or razed.

He was received by Fatai Adekunle Ayoola and Fatai Ajidagba, Chairmen of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government and Ifelodun Local Council Development Area respectively.

Among property in the compound torched by the arsonists include an old generation bank, and a police station adjacent to the destroyed Council secretariat.

Sober-looking, Governor Sanwo-Olu also took a tour of some adjoining areas that were brutally visited with the hoodlums’ anger during the rampage.

Speaking to newsmen on the state of things during the tour, Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, said the unwarranted attacks on public and private facilities compelled the state government to impose the current round-the-click curfew in the state.

“I want us to realise that all of these happened before the curfew. This was why the government imposed the curfew. The correct situation is that these attacks sparked the curfew

“This is not the kind of Lagos we know and want to know. We should see ourselves as brothers. The kind of rebuilding that we have to do now is great. This is a tough and difficult time for us but we will come out stronger.”

Some residents of the areas visited, who spoke with Forefront, recounted what they described as the worst and most hellish moments and days of their lives.

In tears, some of them, residing within one of the burnt Police station, said they were at a loss as to the reason police officers and their families were targeted by the hoodlums without any act of provocation.

They wondered when it became an offence for Police personnel to go about their lawful duties of protecting and securing the lives and property of citizens