Please Help Us,Military men has turn our houses into ‘barracks’....SEE PHOTO

Firstclass newsline learnt that dwellers of Omoyele Street in the
Majidun area of Ikorodu, Lagos State say soldiers and officers of the
Nigerian Navy deployed in the community to fight vandalism have taken
over their houses and are using them as their dwelling houses.
The residents said the military personnel were deployed in the area
eight months ago to flush out vandals and stop the vandalism of the
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation's pipeline.
They said the operatives stormed the area on October 5, 2014,
impounding thousands of litres of petrol stored in jerrycans while a
large number of suspects were arrested.
The residents added that after the initial success, the operatives
took over about 20 houses on the street and closed some shops under
the pretext of securing the area.
They said many of them had to relocate temporarily, thinking that they
would soon go back to their houses. They, however, lamented that they
noticed that the military men had turned the houses into their
barracks and also did not allow them to take their property.
A source, who visited the community on Saturday, observed that Omoyele
Street was cordoned off by the armed officers, some of whom were seen
sitting in front of some houses. It was also observed that the houses
were locked.
However, a mother of three, Iyanu Chioma, said her family members were
forcefully sent from their house by the officers.
She said they relocated to the Ogolonto area, where they rented a
room. The 28-year-old woman added that the ejection had negatively
affected the family.
She said, "This suffering is too much. Imagine my mother-in-law, my
husband, my children and I living in one room. Feeding has been very
difficult for us since we were sent out of our house in Omoyele. Those
soldiers are now living in our house.
"My children cannot go to school again because there is no money. My
husband is a commercial boat operator, while my mother-in-law had a
shop, where she used to sell drinks. The military men closed the shop
and also stopped my husband from operating on the river."
Another displaced trader, Ola Omoyele, said elderly people were also
thrown out of the area without being allowed to pack their property.
She said, "They told us to leave. I could only pick a few of my
property. I used to sell drinks and pepper soup. But now, I am just
struggling to feed myself and my child. The most annoying thing is
that some elders on the street were also sent out. They should please
allow us to move back to our houses."
A boat operator, Durogbola Andrew, commended the officers for ridding
the neighbourhood of vandals. He urged them to allow residents to
engage in their lawful businesses.
He said, "I work for a marine firm. The officers have taken over the
jetty where we carry passengers going to Victoria Island and Ebute
since October last year. We know they are here to protect the
community; but they should give us the freedom to operate."
A fisherman, 56-year-old Adegboyega Oripeniaiye, said fishing was the
only job he knew to take care of his family of nine.
"I have about seven children and fishing is the only source of taking
care of them. People had to leave because of joblessness and those of
us who stayed behind are living in fear," he said.
The head of fish farmers and Secretary, Majidun Community Development
Committee, Mr. Adelayo Aboriota, called on the government to come to
their aid.
He said, "I studied political science at a university, but I have to
continue with fishing due to unemployment in the country; I realise
N7,000 in a day. Right now, we cannot fish again because the military
men did not allow us. I am married with three children. The burden is
too much on me. We want the government to come to our rescue."
A 53-year-old resident of the area, Magret Abejoye, said, "I sell
firewood, but we can no longer go across the water to get the
firewood. They (the military men) have been unfair to us."
A photographer, Tokunbo Amos, said she had to move with her children
to a relative's house after her shop was shut down.
She said, "They have converted my shop and our house to their homes.
My children and I are living with my husband's family. We are not
saying they should leave. It is our joy that illegal oil bunkering has
become a thing of the past in this community. But they should allow us
to return to our houses and our jobs."
TheBaaleof Majidun, Chief J.O. Abejoye was said to have travelled out
of the state when our correspondent visited him for comments.
The spokesperson for Western Naval Command, Lieutenant Abdulsalam
Sanni, said, "We did not eject any resident from Majidun. Nobody stops
them from doing their legitimate activities. They have no cause to
fear. But in a situation whereby the fishermen connive with vandals to
carry out illegitimate activities, that will not be allowed."
Spokesperson for the 81 Division, Colonel Mustapha Anka, also absolved
the soldiers from the allegation.
He said, "Our officers are only there for anti-vandal operation. The
residents are free to engage in lawful activities."
Firstclassnewsline.net