Over 800 displaced Ebonyi indigenes in Lagos return home, call for help to rebuild lives

Judith Echefu, Abakaliki

In a major relief effort, the Ebonyi State government has successfully evacuated at least 800 of its indigenes who were displaced in Ilaje-Island, Lagos State.

The returnees, who were forced to flee their homes due to unforeseen circumstances, are now back in Ebonyi State, where they are seeking assistance to rebuild their lives.

Lagos State government allegedly demolished structures considered illegal in Ilaje, where many people from different states of the federation, including Ebonyi Stat,e, are residing, leaving them stranded.

Governor Francis Nwifuru who was informed of the development, ordered the evacuation of Ebonyi people affected by the demolition.

Last week, over 800 persons made up of children between the ages of 3 and 4 years, men and women, were brought back to Ebonyi State through coaster buses that carried them to the state.

The Focal Person of Ebonyi people living in the diaspora, Chief Valentine Okike, told journalists in Abakaliki on Monday that the displaced persons were living in open places including bridges after the demolition, thereby exposing them to danger which touched Governor Francis Nwifuru and he ordered their immediate evacuation

Okike, who is the state Commissioner for Special Duties, said, “We were officially informed on Monday that Ebonyi people in Ilaje, Island Lagos were displaced and our Governor, Rt. Hon Francis Nwifuru ordered that I should go and bring them to our dear state. I went to Lagos and brought them back

“It was an eyesore seeing small children below 3,4 years living in an open place, under the bridge. These people went through hardship, and it was on that basis that the Governor said, no, I will not allow my people to continue to suffer and immediately mandated me to bring them back home.

“Buses were made available to bring them back home and their situation was bad. I can authoritatively tell you that for those of them who wanted to come back, all of them are back home.

“It is not only Ebonyi people whose properties were demolished; there were other people from other states who were also affected by the demolition. But I can tell you that it is only the Ebonyi State government that took that proactive measure by bringing them back home, and I can understand what the Governor was trying to avoid because he believes in good governance”.