Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, weary from the events the state in the last week, has lamented the mindless destruction of private and public assets, and called for an end to incitements on social media.
“I will like to advise and implore citizens to resist the urge to instigate or incite people to violence especially on social media. It is wrong to spread misinformation and create mass hysteria,” the governor twitted after moving around the state for first-hand information about the destruction visited on the State.
Sanwo-Olu, led some members of his cabinets to the vandalised sites across the state at the end of which he vowed he won’t allow further destruction in the state.
“Our beautiful city has seen a level of destruction almost akin to a war zone. It was a shocking and very sad spectacle. Our land took a beating and this hurts. Historical buildings, cultural centres, private malls, government holdings and private businesses were pillaged & burnt,” he further wrote.
“This is not the Lagos we know. I am the 15th governor of the state and Lagos has never witnessed this level of destruction. The oldest court in Nigeria was razed down. Many properties were completely destroyed. It is time to heal ourselves and time to heal Lagos,” he noted.
Hoodlums, hiding under the guise of the #EndSARS protests, looted and razed important government infrastructure and business premises in the state.
The governor spoke further through a statement issued by his spokesman, Gboyega Akosile. “Enough is enough. I have moved around and I saw that our people want peace. On this, we are committed to bringing lasting peace back to the state,” the governor said, according to Akosile.
“Moving forward from the destruction, we have to continue the process of healing ourselves. We need to stop some of our citizens still using social media to instigate or incite the people.
“It will not be under my watch that we will lose the city that has the largest economy in the entire black nation.
Sanwo-Olu visited 27 locations across the state where government assets and private properties were destroyed and physically assessed the level of vandalism.
The arson on Lagos was a “coordinated wanton destruction”, the governor said, noting that it would take the state many decades to recover from the devastation.
“My heart bled after I went out today for a first-hand assessment of the destruction of assets of the Government and private properties.
At least three banks, over 10 police stations, local government secretariats, over 80 BRT buses, shopping malls, shops, court, palace, houses, amongst others were torched by the rampaging hoodlums.
Others burnt down include the Lagos State Public Works Corporation in Ojodu, Nigeria Port Authority Building at Marina, Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre at CMS, Vehicle Inspection Service headquarters in Ojodu and Toll Plazas at Lekki and Ikoyi Link Bridge.
The governor on Friday instructed the Lagos Waste Management Authority to clean up the city.
Furthermore, Sanwo-Olu said a Panel of Inquiry would commence an investigation into Tuesday shootings on Monday.
The panel, the governor said, would start its sitting at the Lagos Court Arbitration Centre international in Lekki.
“We have expanded the terms of reference for the Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution to include the incident at the Lekki toll gate. If you have any claims, do send them to the panel. The panel will begin to sit on Monday at the Lagos Court of Arbitration situated in Lekki,” the governor tweeted.
He urged members of the public to send their petitions and evidence on the Lekki incident to the panel investigation.
“The governor also visited Reddington Lekki Hospital where some of the injured protesters were admitted after the shootings. All admitted persons had been discharged,” the statement concluded.
“Today, on our journey across Lagos, we paid respect to the ones we have lost. It was an emotional time for everyone, and we will find a way to remember them in the coming days.”
“Lagos belongs to us all. No other state has this unique combination of people living in peace, harmony, and progress so it saddened me when I went round for an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the level of destruction to public assets and private properties,’ he added.
He also visited the various hospitals to check on the progress of victims that were brought in from events this week.
He said it was heartwarming to note that quite a number have been discharged. We have also indicated that we will be picking all the bills.
“Lagos will not burn. Not on my watch. Enough is enough. We want peace and we will get peace,” Sanwo-Olu said.
As shocking and sad as this situation is, the governor said Lagosians must come out of the ashes of the destruction strong and with a determination that this unfortunate situation will not kill the spirit of Lagos.
“We are Lagosians. We are known for our creativity, enterprising, and can-do spirit. I am convinced that we will heal and rebuild our land. We have no other choice. It is our land and our home. We must do right by it.
“Going forward, we have to renew our commitment to peace, progress, social cohesion and make a promise to ourselves that never again shall we allow the forces of darkness take over our land,” Sanwo-Olu said.
