The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has said the breakdown of law and order in two
communities in the Lekki area of the state is unfortunate. He urged the warring parties to sheathe their swords.
Speaking at Oniyanrin, one of the affected communities, Ambode stated that he did not
expect communities that had coexisted peacefully to resolve little differences in a very violent way, especially as Lagos was celebrating
50 years of its creation.
Indigenes of Onirayin and Ilagbo communities in the Ibeju- Lekki area of the state clashed on Tuesday,
which resulted in the destruction of property and the death of two people.
The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter governmental Relations, Oluseye Oladejo, reminded the communities of government’s huge investment in the area, advising them that no
meaningful development could take place in any place noted for violence.
He said, “I am not happy with what I have seen here in terms of destruction of property and loss
of lives. We have invested a lot in these communities, but we will be scaring investors away if we choose to resolve our differences
through violent means.”
Ambode described the area as the future of Lagos, saying both government and private investors had invested heavily in the area.
“Government has the will to bear the full weight of the law on whoever threatens the investments and peaceful coexistence among people in this area,” he added.
The governor assured the residents that law enforcement agents had been directed to keep the peace, adding that troublemakers would be
punished.