By Damilola Kushimo
Ilasamaja was the centre of the violence that trailed the Endsars violence as the neighborhood recorded wanton destruction of business premises and police facilities.
It was gathered that 10 vehicles were destroyed beyond repair as some business owners on Araromi and Balogun streets had their premises vandalized.
In addition to that, six rifles were carted away by the hoodlums from Ilasa police station as they set the premises ablaze, while the Motor Traffic Division belonging to the police on Ajose Street was also burnt.
Having assessed the rate of property destructions, the council chairman, Hon. Shamsudeen Olaleye sympathised with business owners whose facilities were destroyed during the civil unrest.
The council boss assured them of the state government’s commitment to assuage the loss of their businesses, adding that the burnt police station would be repaired soon.
The council leader, Hon. Remy Shittu Remy, also commiserated with the victims of the crisis while commending the residents, indigenous groups and security operatives for preventing the hoodlums from damaging the council Secretariat and other properties.
In a statement titled “Thank you Isolo Youths for protecting our heritage”, Remy commended the residents for safeguarding other four police stations in the community as well as the council secretariat and business enterprises which were all under threat during the social unrest.
He appealed to the youths to give governments the needed time to fulfil thier promises about their demands.
“Having hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protest held by the youths across the council area, the hoodlums were able to carry out arson on Ilasamaja Police Station but their efforts to do same on Ago Okota Divisional Police Station, Isolo Secretariat and other public and private institutions were strongly resisted by our youths. I believe such act of patriotism deserves great commendation.
“In light of these tragic events that also claimed lives of promising youths and police officers, I will like to appeal to the youths to remain firm on their resolution in order to give governments time to process and effect their demands and also to deprive some unrepentant enemies of the state a platform to carry out their nefarious acts,” he said.
