Joshua Vandi, a 36-year-old man, has attributed the death of his pregnant wife, Ladi, to the demolition of their apartment at 33, Odunfa Street, Oworonshoki, Lagos. Ladi died at Afolabi Memorial Hospital, Oworo Road.
According to Punch, Vandi explained that after the demolition, they relocated to a new apartment on Oluwaseun Street with the help of someone.
Sadly, his 33-year-old wife experienced complications resulting from the trauma she endured during the demolition. Not only did they lose their home, but Ladi also lost her source of income, which further worsened the situation.
Vandi said, “After the demolition at Odunfa in Oworonshoki, they (task force) burnt all our houses and her business was lost. Since then, we haven’t had a house or anything. She never recovered from that shock.
“On Wednesday, her blood pressure was so high. The baby inside her died. After that, the doctor could not operate on her because of her high BP. This was because after she learnt the baby inside her had died, she cried for a long time.
“On Thursday morning, she gave up (died). As I am talking to you, she’s at the mortuary in Yaba.
“I’m still living in danger. The room I am in, the roof is open. Last week, when rain fell and water filled everywhere, my wife was in the water. I was scooping the water till I got exhausted. Animals cannot stay here while I’m living with our children,” he added.
Vandi’s family lived in a self-contained wooden house that was demolished. The demolition, carried out by the state task force in July, left residents, including children and women, homeless. The demolition affected several streets in the Oworonshoki area, such as Oke-Eri, Oluwaseyi community, Cornerstone, Ogo-Oluwa, and others.
According to Gboyega Akosile, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the state government’s intention was to remove shanties and criminal hideouts in the area.