FG demolishes 12 Lagos churches on alleged illegal plots

Some Christian worshippers in Lagos state no longer have buildings to conduct their services following the demolition of their worship centres by the federal government.

Specifically, officials of the Federal Housing Authority demolished 12 churches on 2nd Avenue, FESTAC Town, Lagos state.

Premium Times newspaper also reports that a market and a car mart were also affected in the exercise.

Punch Newspaper reports that the Gate of Righteousness Evangelical International Church, was also affected.

According to the general overseer of the church, Pastor Joshua Obong, he started his ministry in the community 18 years ago and wondered why his church was targeted for demolition.

He said:

“The officials first came last week and started marking our buildings. After they were done, they left and returned two days later. That was when they gave us a seven-day notice, which expired last Wednesday.

“On Sunday morning, around 5am, we suddenly saw bulldozers at the First Gate, FESTAC Town. They got to my church at exactly 11am; they demolished all the churches along the road, except the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Communion Chapel and CPM, which they spared. All other churches were brought down.”

Obong said there was no other warning prior to the seven-day notice.

Going further, he claimed that the government took advantage of the strike action by judicial workers, adding that nobody could approach the court for injunctions to stop the demolition.

He added,

“We wrote to them, seeking extension of time, but the letter was not even acknowledged."

263 properties to be demolished in Lagos as Sanwo-Olu inaugurates new rail project

The new rail project embarked upon by the Lagos state government, a 37-km Rail Mass Transit Red Line, will affect no fewer than 263 properties.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has presented cheques of varying amounts as compensation to the owners of the affected properties.

Legit.ng gathered that this was contained in a statement released by Sanwo-Olu's chief press secretary, Gboyega Akosile, on Thursday, April 15.

Flagging off the project's construction, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the rail line which will traverse from Agbado to Marina, is expected to move more than one million commuters daily.