The head of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, retired Maj. Olaniyi Cole, has donated N1 million to Miss Chinwedu Okafor to prevent her from committing suicide after the demolition of her shop.
On Tuesday, in his Oshodi office, Cole presented the cheque to the 31-year-old businesswoman from Anambra. He explained that he was following directives to demolish illegal structures on government land and public spaces. Miss Okafor and others had been given notice months prior for structures on Ibro Canal, Okota, Lagos.
During the demolition last Friday, Miss Okafor showed signs of severe distress and considered suicide due to her significant investment in the destroyed structure. She even attempted to bribe Cole, but he refused the money.
“We are tasked with removing illegal structures for the benefit of all,” Cole stated. “We always try to empathize with victims, giving them time to remove their property. I assisted Miss Okafor because I did not want her to take her own life.”
Miss Okafor expressed her gratitude, saying she never expected the financial help. She had invested heavily in her business after moving from Ojodu Berger to Ibro Canal, borrowing money and selling property to secure the site for chalets. Despite the quit notice, she did not believe the demolition would happen and left her things in place.
“When the demolition occurred, I thought I could bribe them, but the boss rejected it. I was surprised when the corps marshal asked me what I wanted him to do for me. I requested N750,000, but he generously offered N1 million,” she said.
Cole also warned against attacking his personnel, highlighting that over 100 of his men had been injured during operations in the past six months.
Source: NAN