Evictees From Maroko Land Commemorate 30-Year Forceful Eviction
Today, Tuesday, 201st July 2020 making a week people of Maroko commemorated their forceful eviction from the land to various estates built by former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande.
The evictees who reside at Ilasan Jakande Estate, Eti-Osa, at the moment joined other evictees for the 30-year anniversary of the forceful eviction by the then military government at the federal and state in that year.
The excerpts from the sent written speeches by some leaders via their virtual meeting are indicated below:
30 YEARS ANNIVERSARY OF MAROKO EVICTION
July 14th 2020 marked 30 years of brutal eviction of Maroko community where the then Lagos state military junta led by Col Raji Rasaki with the conspiracy of the federal government and some bourgeoisie recklessly invaded the helpless and innocent people of Maroko, taking over our legitimate land and properties. This unjustly displaced over 300 thousand people and demolished over 10 thousand houses within the space of 14 days with a mere radio notice. At about 9am on this fateful day, all entrances that led to Maroko community were under siege with armed soldiers, coffins, black Maria trucks, armed mobile men on horses, legion of armed-uniform men, thugs, caterpillar bulldozers and demolition began. Some of our wives and daughters were not spared from blatant rape while some of our parents were murdered cold bloodedly. Perhaps, the most horrific inhuman experience people of Maroko extraction ever had! The adverse effect of the demolition brought untold hardship. Our economic means of livelihood was ruined and survival became almost impossible. We were stranded on the open ground under the July heavy rains and coastal winds. Sizeable number of the evictees were taking shelter under the bridges and squalid gutters. The persistent public outcry by local and international human right activists, especially the Civil Liberty Organisation (CLO) and Social and Economy Right Action Centre (SERAC ) compelled the government to compensate us and we were eventually resettled in uncompleted government estates in Ilasan, Ikota and Epe. Sadly, these estates were not habitable nor fit for human existence, but we had no choice of shelter as we were practically naked and vulnerable under the torrential July rain. Although some of us were resettled and given allocation papers. The government deliberately deprived the estates of basic social amenities and infrastructures for this 30 years! So, we relied solely on communal help to sustain ourselves in these estates.
However, 30 years down the lane of Maroko eviction, we remain resolute and unbroken in our quest to win justice. Although we have lost considerable number of our people in the cause of this struggle and relative number of our parents are presently weak, the current generation of Maroko youth is determined and will stop at nothing to get justice. It is worthy to note that despite government effort to frustrate justice, several governmental institutions and panels have recommended that Lagos state government should on behalf of its predecessors apologise to the residents of Maroko and publicly condemn the high handedness of Col. Rasaki’s barbaric action, especially given that these innocent citizens went through this harrowing experience so as to satisfy the greed of a few elites whose residences have now sprung up in Maroko land. We charge the current government to do what is right and just because “when justice is disbursed on the pivot of prejudice, the egalitarian society we seek cannot be ascertained”. Today, we are better and well organised communities through several orientation programmes sponsored by SERAC. Our teeming youth also have benefited from various skill acquisition training sponsored by SERAC and other NGOS.
Recently, a media report suggested that the government is nursing a plan to subsequently evict the Maroko people who are staying in Ilasan and Ikota estates again. In this wise, it should be abundantly known that the people of Maroko will not accept to move out of their current estates, because when our houses were demolished by the government, we were partly resettled in these filthy estates, but because the estates have come of high economic value today, the government is considering plans to squeeze us out with another horrific displacement. This will be rejected, resisted and repelled in its totality. We therefore implore the government to jettison this idea and tow the path of genuine conciliation and regeneration of these estates. We have and will remain open for positive engagement with the government to discuss favourable apanage that will bring to the full actualization of settlements and regeneration of resettlement estates.
As we wad into the 30 years of force eviction, the annals of history remains humble while recollecting our sorrowful experiences. Since history is the single process of the rise, we shall continue to seek redress with readiness to bequeath the struggle to our next generation. It is with grit that we tow this path of justice and as God remains our recourse, justice will prevail.
To this end, it will amount to disservice if we acknowledge these 30 years anniversary without respecting the souls of our departed ones who have contributed immensely toward the sustainability of this struggle to which their numbers are numerous and time will not permit us to mention. Nonetheless, we cannot but chronicle names of some inevitable icons who have striven hard to uphold the struggle till their last breath. The leader of Maroko evictee of blessed memory, Prince Samuel Adeniyi Aiyeyemi, Chief Richard Kalasuwe - Patron , Alh. Saidi Agboworin, Alh. Musiliu Adigboluja, Alhaji. Giwa Bawahala - chief Imam, Alh. Lawal, Madam Onikoyi, Chief Ebenezer and host of others.
Also worth mentioning are the following organisations and individuals, Civil Liberty Organisation, The Ford Foundation of America, SERAC, Pastor Charles Abraham, Abraham Tents Ministry, The Nigerian press, Lord Peter Goldsmith QC, late Chief Gani Fawehimi SAN, Femi Falana SAN, Olisha Agbakoba SAN
Our profound appreciation goes to a humanist and right activist Dr. Felix Morka and his dedicated staff who has advocated the cause of Maroko evictees for this 30 years pro-bono, both locally and internationally through the platform of Social and Economic Right Action Centre (SERAC). We are most grateful and thankful for your several and unrelenting supports.
We cannot but appreciate our present leaders, Alhaji T. A. Jegede, Pastor Isaac Oluwole, Pa Mikiah Oretan, Mondiu Kolawole Shade JP, Mrs Odumeko, Mrs Anitini Titilayo, Pastor Bakare, Mrs V. A Aiyeyemi J.P, Chief B . Okeke, Chief Oladele Ogunyomi, Prince Seyi Orioye, Mr. Kareem Suleiman, Comr Babatunde Macauley, Mr Tunde Obadimeji, just to mention a few for their persistent determination, courage and pursuit for social justice for this past 30 years. History and posterity will not forget you all.
In conclusion, we have observed with keen interest the current Governor’s mien and compassionate handling of the coronavirus pandemic. We have seen pragmatism blended with deep compassion and this gives us a ray of hope in these dark times. Can Governor Sanwo-olu be the God-sent man of justice to finally pour balm on our wounds and bring healing? It has been thirty long and painful years!
Finally, we the people of Maroko extraction have ever been law abiding in our quest for justice and will continue until the cause of this struggle is fully determined and ameliorated. We therefore call on the current administration of Lagos state government to consider the good people of Maroko by giving us decent houses, compensation and publicly apologise for the ugly historical destruction of Maroko. It is with propitious minds that we commit fully to the struggle.
God bless Nigeria, God bless Lagos state and God bless Maroko People.
Sign:
Alhaji Chief Olakorede Jegede
Leader Maroko Evictee
Mr. Benson Oketola
Secretary Maroko Evictee
Comr. O. O. Andrew Maroko
Evictees Youth Leader
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