Beginning from the 9th of November 2016, the residents of Otodo-Gbame fishing community came under heavy attack from vandals, arsonists, and security operatives who brutalized and forcefully evicted them from the land they have occupied for many years. Building on the momentum generated by the November 15, 2016 petition to the Lagos State Government, SPACES FOR CHANGE launched an intense media campaign to save tens of thousands that have already been displaced in Otodo-Gbame Waterfront Community, and to halt the continuing threats to many more facing the risk of homelessness.
From one television station to another, we pressed hard for the unconditional release of the Baale of Otodo-gbame, and other local residents arrested and detained in the wake of the evictions. We urged the Lagos State Government to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims, especially the pregnant women and children, who have lost their homes and all their belongings. We featured on the morning shows and on the news segments on national television stations, providing a legal analysis of the evictions within the context of applicable state and national laws. SPACES FOR CHANGE’s petition made headline news in leading national dailies and online news sites like The Punch, TheCable, Newspoint, Sabinews and so forth.
The Lagos State Government and the Nigerian Police, through various channels, denied having any hand in the ‘mysterious fire’ that razed Otodo-gbame community and the ensuing mass evictions. SPACES FOR CHANGE is demanding a full investigation into the November 9-11 (2016) fire incident in order to identify the perpetrators of the dastardly acts, and ensure the offending officials are brought to justice.
WATCH THE VIDEOS: SPACES FOR CHANGE ON SILVERBIRD TELEVISION LAGOS (November 15, 2016)
SPACES FOR CHANGE ON TELEVISION CONTINENTAL LAGOS (November 17, 2016)
