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How Lagos Building Collapse Render Over 3,000 Homeless

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Following a building collapse in Onamo Agboye Estate complex in Oduntan Street, Kosofe area of Ketu, Lagos, 3,000 inhabitants of the complex including women and children have been thrown into harsh conditions.

The incident, which led to the demolition of the building by officials of the Lagos State government, has rendered many residents homeless.

Vanguard learnt that the estate had blocks A to M and each block had a three or four-storey building with about 50 rooms each.

A visit to the scene of the building collapse, several tenants were seen hopelessly standing while others tried to park a few of their belongings.

While some tenants were seen selling off their household items like refridgerators and fans, the properties of other tenants were littered all over the streets.

Speaking to Vanguard, a 52-year-old teacher, Nwakunor Caesar, who occupied a two-room self-contained apartment in one of the buildings, said: “I live here with my wife and children. On Saturday afternoon, I was at the balcony when it was raining. I noticed that some tenants started running because a part of block A had collapsed. The collapse caused tension in the estate and some of the tenants ran to our block for safety.

READ ALSO: Seven Die In Building Collapse At Borno IDP Camp

“When fire service officials came, they discovered that it was not a fire outbreak. They alerted officials of Lagos State Building Control Agency because of the vibration. On Sunday, more blocks collapsed including the apartment of the landlord. It fell on so many people and killed a man who came to help a tenant salvage some of their properties. A whole block collapsed on him, killing him in the process. Other people sustained injuries. Officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency who were at the scene had to stop people from entering the building to pick up their things.

“I noticed that something was wrong with the building immediately I paid and parked into the building six years ago. We have issues with water and nothing seems to be working in the estate. When the house developed issues years ago, the landlord, Chief Agboye, began to take palliative measures despite advise from professionals that the house was sinking.

“The load the building carried was more than the building itself. The foundation is weak too. The population strength is too much. The landlord knew that the place was faulty and he refused to do the needful. Can you see what his inactions have caused us? Unfortunately for me, a few days ago I went to pay my house rent. Now, my family is stranded and homeless. He has rendered over 3,000 people homeless and most of these people have no money.

“Thieves are stealing people’s properties, I have lost my complete set of pots, teaching board and so many other things. If you keep your property and rush back to pick up another; on coming back, you will not see it again. Some will come to help, but in the real sense, they are not coming to help but to steal and sell your belongings.”

Lamenting, Amaka, a mother of four said: “We just packed into this building about two months ago. Yesterday, my children and I slept in a church building. As it is, we are stranded and homeless.

READ ALSO: Construction Workers Escape Death As Two-storey Building Collapses In Lagos

“And many of our properties have been lost. Some people are selling their properties to eat. A neighbour just sold his refridgerator for N10,000. You can’t be squatting in another person’s house with children and household items.”

Calling on government, another tenant, Chinedu, said: “I need help seriously. I have a wife and children. Apart from the children I have, we have a premature baby, and my wife who had stroke is just recovering. It is not quite long she came back from the hospital, and now, this tragedy. Since the incident happened, my family and I have been squatting with relatives.

“Government needs to help provide temporary shelter or give financial support because many of us have nowhere to sleep. Some are even sleeping in churches. Like me, many of the residents are also confused. I am having issues evacuating some of my properties, I don’t know what to do.”

Reacting to the development, the landlord’s lawyer, Efe Kwakpovwe, who spoke to Sunday Vanguard, said: “Not all part of the building is defective. Although you can see some parts are shifting, and a bit bent, some other parts are not defective. They should bring down the defective part of the building and allow chief to restructure it back.

“I went to the Lagos State Building Control Agency to see the general manager, but he was unavailable. A colleague there told me, the process of building collapse entails forfeiture.

“What is happening to the residents who are stranded at the moment is so unfortunate. There is nothing anybody can do about that. It is a pity actually.”

VANGUARD

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Fake Naira Notes In Circulation, CBN Warns Nigerians

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has warned Nigerians to be wary of counterfeit naira notes in circulation amid reports of currency shortage in the country.

In a statement released on Friday titled ‘Beware of Counterfeit Naira Banknotes in Circulation,’ the apex bank advised Deposit Money Banks, Financial Houses, Bureau de Change, and the public to be vigilant and implement necessary precautions.

The Central Bank assures the public that it is working with law enforcement operatives to apprehend those responsible for circulating counterfeit currency.

READ ALSO: NJC Sacks Osun Judge, Rejects Adeleke’s Request To Suspend CJ

The statement, in part, said, “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to the circulation of counterfeit banknotes, significantly higher denominations, by some individuals for transactions in food markets and other commercial centers across major cities in the country.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Section 20(4) of the CBN Act (2007) as amended, states that: “It shall be an offense punishable by a term of imprisonment of not less than five years for any person to falsify, make or counterfeit any bank note or coin issued by the Bank which is legal tender in Nigeria.”

“The CBN is constantly collaborating with relevant security and financial agencies to confiscate fake Naira banknotes and arrest and prosecute counterfeiters. Members of the public are also encouraged to report anyone suspected of having counterfeit naira notes to the nearest police station or branch of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

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“Meanwhile, all Deposit Money Banks, Financial Houses and Bureau de Change and the general public are enjoined to be more vigilant and take all necessary precautionary measures to curtail the acceptance and distribution of counterfeit notes,” the statement reads.

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Three Operatives Injured As NDLEA Officers, Armed Hoodlums Clash In Edo Forest

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency said its operatives repelled gunfire from armed hoodlums in Opuje, Edo State, as they sought to access forest warehouses storing psychoactive substances.

This was made known in a statement signed by the Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, shared on the agency’s X account on Thursday.

The incident followed a similar attack 11 months ago when NDLEA officers were ambushed during an operation, resulting in the arrest of suspects.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Arrests Three Blind Men Over Drug Trafficking, Seizes Narcotics Worth N13bn

Opuje is known for large-scale cannabis cultivation, with drug cartels investing heavily in protecting their warehouses.

The statement said, “Following credible intelligence that the drug cartels had again stocked their warehouses in the forest to start distribution of the psychoactive substance to various parts of the country ahead of the yuletide season, teams of NDLEA officers were mobilized to enter the Edo forests and block the distribution of the illicit drug by destroying their warehouses.

“Some of the warehouses containing about 6,000kgs of cannabis were first taken down in Ujiogba forest in Esan West LGA last weekend.

READ ALSO: NDLEA Intercepts Abuja-bound Loads Of Laughing Gas Consignments, Destroys 40 Tons Of Cannabis Plants

“The NDLEA teams, however, came under gunfire attack in the early hours of Monday 4th December when they approached the Opuje forest after the armed hoodlums had blocked all access roads in the community. The NDLEA operatives were able to exit the area after over two hours of gunfight with the armed hoodlums.

“Unfortunately, three of the officers were injured in the attack with one of them shot in the head while some of the vehicles used for the operation were riddled with bullets. The affected officers were rushed to the hospital for treatment while the critically injured one had a major surgery on Wednesday 6th December to remove the bullets in his brain.”

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VIDEO: Policemen Demand Money From Foreign Female Biker

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Some policemen have been sighted in a video demanding money from a female biker who was on a tour of Nigeria from the Netherlands.

The Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday, said the officers were recorded along Moniya Road in Oyo State.

The officers had flagged down the biker, asking her where she was from and where she was heading.

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Four Officers For Alleged Kidnapping In Rivers

The Dutch replied that she was from the Netherlands and she was on her way to Abuja, apparently surprising the two officers.

In the 1:26-minute video, the officers asked the woman to offer them money or whatever she had in her possession.

Interacting with the biker in pidgin, the officers said: “Wetin you bring come? Wetin you won give me. O yah give me something nah.”

The tourist appeared not to comprehend the officers’ message until they clearly said, “Give me money, money,” to which she asked, “Why?”

READ ALSO: Why I Visited Kuje Prison – Ooni Of Ife

Reacting to the video shared by an X user, @Oyoaffairs, the Force PRO, Adejobi called on the Oyo State police command to look into the incident.

Now that is along Moniya in Oyo, @OyoPoliceNG should take necessary steps on that. I have notified the PPRO Oyo of this. They need to be worked upon,” Adejobi reacted.

Watch video below:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1732749914080194872?s=20

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