The Ebonyi State Government has successfully evacuated over 800 indigenes who were stranded in Lagos State following the demolition of parts of Ilaje by the Lagos State Government.
Speaking in Abakaliki, the Commissioner for Special Duties and State Diaspora, Valentine Okeke, confirmed that most of those affected were women and children.
He revealed that many of them had been sleeping under bridges since the demolition, struggling to survive.
Okeke stated that once Governor Francis Nwifuru was informed of the situation, he immediately ordered their evacuation to ensure they were not left to suffer in harsh conditions.
“When we received official reports that our people were stranded in Lagos, the governor directed us to bring them back home. That’s exactly what we did,” Okeke said.
He emphasized that the demolition did not only affect Ebonyi indigenes but also people from other states. However, Ebonyi was the only state that took immediate action to rescue its citizens.
Upon their return, the state government began profiling those affected to determine how best to assist them in rebuilding their lives.
“It was heartbreaking to see children as young as three or four years old living in open spaces under bridges. These people were going through extreme hardship, and the governor could not stand by and watch them suffer,” Okeke added.
The government has assured the returnees that they will receive support to reintegrate and rebuild, reinforcing its commitment to the welfare of Ebonyi indigenes wherever they are.
