The Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police, Muyiwa Adejobi, reiterated on Tuesday that the demolition of the Police Officers’ Wives Association Shopping Complex in the Computer Village, Ikeja, Lagos, was duly approved. The demolition took place in the early hours of Sunday, leading to significant losses for shop owners.
Adejobi had previously stated that the complex was scheduled for demolition to pave the way for the construction of a modern shopping complex on the same land. He asserted that all necessary legal requirements had been met, and occupants were given sufficient notice to evacuate, with arrangements made to temporarily accommodate them within the complex during reconstruction.
In response to claims by some affected occupants that the demolition was illegal, Adejobi stated that the occupants were duly informed and had declined meetings before the demolition. He emphasized that POWA (Police Officers’ Wives Association) obtained all necessary approvals and collaborated with the state government in the demolition process.
However, one of the shop owners, Okeke Ifeanyi, contended in a telephone interview on Tuesday that the demolition was illegal. The conflicting accounts between the police and the affected shop owners highlight the contentious nature of the incident and may lead to further investigations or legal actions.
