NINETEEN buildings worth N150 million each (about N3 billion ) were demolished today by the Lagos State Government at the New Mandela Plaza, Trade Fair Complex .
The demolition exercise was carried out with a heavy security presence from the Lagos State Task Force, Rapid Response Squad, and tactical teams stationed around the plaza.
The stern-looking officers restricted access to the premises and sent away traders who attempted to record the exercise.
At the time of filing this report, selective buildings inside the plaza were already reduced to rubble, sparking outrage from shop owners who claimed they were not served prior notice.
One trader, who spoke out of frustration said: “We don’t even know the reason for the demolition. That’s why you see people moving up and down, asking questions.”
Another speculated that the affected structures might have been marked for being too close to a canal.
A visibly agitated plaza owner, who arrived while his shop was being pulled down, screamed from his car that no notice was served before the bulldozers moved in.
Some sales representatives lamented that their bosses’ goods, still locked up inside the shops, were destroyed alongside the buildings.
It was gathered from distraught traders that no fewer than 19 buildings valued at over N150 each were affected by the exercise.
“If government doesn’t want companies or development here, they should just come out and say it. People have invested their life savings here.
Over 19 buildings are in that plaza”, one trader said angrily.
