Task Force officers kill Makoko traditional ruler

A traditional ruler at Makoko, Timothy Agbe,
was, on Saturday, allegedly shot dead by
State Task Force officials deployed to
demolish shanties in the community.
Agbe, who was the Itun-baale of Egun
Makoko, was killed while trying to prevent
the officers from setting some property in the
coastal community ablaze.
Six other persons were arrested by the task
force officials at the Makoko and Iwaya
Waterfront which the state government
declared unsafe for habitation.
Agbe’s death infuriated some of the displaced residents, who rallied to drive the task force
officials away.
The Chairman of the Mainland Slum Dwellers Association, Musbau Agbodimu, said the task
officers had taken the demolition exercise too far on their last visit.
“The task force officials came this afternoon to continue their demolition but the people were
surprised that after demolishing shanties under the powerline, they continued demolishing
and burning property right in the community, far from the powerline,” he said.
“The Baale (Agbe) and other community leaders went to meet the task force officials to stop
them from further demolition of areas not approved, so that was how an argument ensued
and Mr. Agbe was shot by the task force men.”
It was gathered that Agbe died instantly and his corpse was deposited in a public mortuary.
The ongoing controversial demolition exercise at the community has met with some public
criticisms, with thousands of residents reportedly displaced.