Lamentations as police allegedly burgle shantys, cart away valuables at Ebute-Metta, arrest occupants
By Rasaq Adebayo
There were lamentations and agitation for freedom by the residents of Ebute-Metta, Lagos as some policemen suspected to be Taskforce officers invaded their residences around 1:00am on Wednesday and allegedly carted away valuable items including phones, money and foods.
They also arrested some occupants of the raided shantys.
It was gathered that about 150 people were arrested by the police.
They were first taken to Panti in Yaba before being taken to the Taskforce office in Oshodi.
One of the victims who is among those arrested, narrated the incident to Lagos Street Journal.
He said the officers came unnoticed in the midnight and started destroying houses and properties including shops.
According to him, there was no prior notice by the police before carrying out their operation in the midnight while people were still sleeping.
He said the police were shooting sporadically into the air while the operation was ongoing.
“Some police officers swooped on some shanty areas in the Sawmill early this morning like around 1a.m. at Ebute-Metta East. As at 3am, operation was still going on, breaking into people’s shops and homes, arresting and carting away with valuables, money, food and drinks.” He said.
“They arrested about 150 of us. At first, they took us to Panti before leaving to their different offices. But they later took us to the Taskforce office in Oshodi where we are detained. We are told that we will be arraigned in the court today.”
However, the spokesperson of the Taskforce, Nadir Maliq told our correspondent that the police officers were not from the Taskforce.
He said they are from Panti, stating that the people would not be taken to Panti if the operation was carried out by the Taskforce.
He noted that the arrested people were only taken to the Taskforce office in Oshodi for prosecution.
Maliq could not comment further on the issue as he claimed the operation was not carried out by the Taskforce.
Effort to get response from the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, was not successful. He did not respond to calls as at the time of filing this report.
