On Sunday, the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Shopping Complex in Computer Village, Ikeja, experienced an abrupt demolition, prompting traders to tally up their losses.
As gathered by Quest Times, the demolition carried out in the early hours by armed security operatives, resulted in the destruction of over 300 shops and impacted more than 1000 occupants.
Tayo Shittu, Chairman of the Computer Dealer Association, expressed dismay, stating, “We are not feeling good at all. A lot of our members have travelled for the Christmas holidays. If at all it was supposed to happen, there must be a roundtable discussion.”
According to eyewitnesses, the demolition commenced at 12 am, catching many traders off guard.
Emeka, a shop owner, reported the loss of valuable goods, including air conditioning systems, inverters, solar panels, laptops, and more.
“Goods including air conditioning systems, inverters, solar panels, burglary, and laptops were taken away. They used hammers to break in and collected valuables before they started breaking. As we moved around here, we could not find some of the things we left. Two months ago, the Lagos State Government came here and collected taxes from all of us but the appreciation they could show us for electing them and paying our taxes is to come and demolish our businesses. Many people working under us are out of jobs. They are sending another set of Lagosians to the IDP camps,” he said.
Moreover, the traders highlighted the lack of prior notice and stressed the need for dialogue.
Omobayo Azeez, another shop owner, described the sudden arrival of over 200 heavily armed police officers, blocking all entrances and sending away anyone nearby.
Traders had previously sought intervention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, following rumoured plans to demolish the POWA Plaza.
Despite a 24-hour eviction notice posted by the Lagos State Task Force, the demolition proceeded.
In response to the incident, the Lagos State Government distanced itself, clarifying that the structure belonged to POWA, not the government, as the statement condemned the spread of fake news and divisive propaganda.
While attempts to reach officials for comments were unsuccessful, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, asserted that the demolition was inevitable for the construction of a modern shopping complex on the same land.
“It has become imperative to properly establish that the complex, a property of the Nigeria Police Officers’ Wives Association, which is officially allocated to wives of police officers and their relatives, has been scheduled for demolition.
“This is to enable the Force to commence immediate construction of a modern shopping complex on the same land,” Adejobi concluded.