Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has promised the residents of the Magodo Phase 2 area of the state that their houses will no longer be marked for demolition.

WuzupNigeria reported that about 50 armed policemen stormed the estate alongside some suspected land grabbers and members of a family to claim possession of the properties.

Residents staged a protest on Tuesday, displayed placards after the invaders attempted to enter the estate with a bulldozer to execute a Supreme Court judgement.

However, during a visit to the estate on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu assured the residents that there would be a meeting between all concerned parties at his office on Wednesday.

He also said that the issue will be resolved soon, noting that he had a discussion with the Inspector-General of Police.

The PUNCH quoted Sanwo-Olu as saying, “My great residents of Magodo, I bring you good tidings. The chairman of the residents association, the Attorney General, other cabinet members and also the Assistant Inspector-General of Police are here.

“It’s difficult to start the New Year like this. It’s because of the importance of seeing to all of the information and lack of proper information that I had to take up this assignment myself.

“When the first incident happened about two weeks ago, I indeed intervened and If you remember very well, the action was immediately halted and there was no incident again. Throughout the festive period, we started communication.

“One of the things that we need to first understand is that the residents, the people that went to court and the police themselves are my subjects. So, I have the responsibility to ensure that fairness and equity are entrenched.

“The people that went to court have Supreme Court judgment while the residents living there(Magodo) have proper title and the means to live there.

“I have spoken extensively with the Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney General and we’ve resolved all of the issues.

“So, what we’ll see is that there is going to be a total stand down and tomorrow we’ll be inviting the representatives of the judgment creditors. We have actually started a committee, but I want to invite them again officially tomorrow by 11 O’clock to come over.

“The state government, the residents association and the police will be at the meeting so that whatever it is that brought about this trouble and headaches will be laid bare.”

The Governor expressed the belief that the meeting will address the issues and will help stakeholders to reach an amicable resolution.

“I want everyone to ensure that peace is restored in the estate and that citizens go about their lawful businesses, knowing full well that nobody will be harassed, no property will be trampled upon pending when we reach a resolution,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu assured the residents, saying, “None of your houses will be marked again. For those marked, we’ll try and sort the situation out.”