23rd February, 2012
As victims of the early Monday morning mayhem on Lagos Island continue to count their losses, owner of burnt New Star Photo Studio, Alhaji Ahmed Alabi Morakinyo, lamented that he lost N150 million to the fracas when his photo studio was razed, writes Ayodeji Dedeigbo
The Chief Executive Officer of the photo company has told P.M.NEWS that his burnt photo studio was established with a loan of N150 million he took from a bank a few years back and he was still servicing the facility with interest as at the time of the crisis.
Alhaji Morakinyo lamented that he would need at least N50 million (apart from his outstanding bank debt) before the company could bounce back again.
“Where do I come about such money now, especially when the photo studio had been out of use as it is currently undergoing renovation?” Morakinyo lamented.
He appealed to Lagos State government and other well meaning Nigerians to assist him resuscitate the company.
The pregnant wife of one of the victims, Mrs. Shakirat Adebara, mother of four wept profusely as she cried for help from the government and kind-hearted individuals.
Shakirat said her late husband was born and raised in Lagos by parents from Kwara State.
According to her, they resided at 43, Alagbeji Street, Isale Eko, Lagos Island. She added that her husband was a transporter and he had his own Volkswagen kombi bus.
“My husband was not a tout or member of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW. He was serious with his transport business and also helped in loading or offloading goods around Lagos Island.”
She also identified another dead victim as Saheed Gbolahan, who lives close to her family at Ojuolokun Street, Isale Eko. She said Saheed was killed by a stray bullet fired by the area boys.
Shakirat called on government to ensure that justice was done and end the incessant harassment and killings by the hoodlums who usually unleash terror on residents of the area.
Fatai Ajibike was luckier than the late Jamiu Adebara. He told P.M.NEWS that he was at the scene of the mayhem which started at about 1:30 a.m. but he missed death by the whiskers, though his car was badly damaged.
Another victim, Alhaja Aishat Jinadu, a.k.a. Alhaja ‘Mama Ke’ recounted how the assailants seized her son and demanded N200,000, before he would be released. She eventually had to part with the money which was the proceeds from her kerosine business. She said they also collected her jewellery.
She appealed for assistance, saying they had liquidated her kerosene business.
Meanwhile, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akinolu1,visited the scene of the mayhem Tuesday. The monarch alongside his white cap chiefs promised to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to justice.
Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola also visited the scene of the incident to commiserate with the victims.
Similarly, chairmen of the council area, Wasiu Eshinlokun and Kamoru Bashua also visited the affected areas to assess the extent of damage done to lives and property during the early morning fracas.