Officials of the Nigerian National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have
withdrawn from the scene of the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun,
Lagos.
withdrawn from the scene of the Synagogue Church of All Nations in Ikotun,
Lagos.
The Public Relations Officer,
National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye told
journalists that they (NEMA) had to leave after the church’s security
staff, operating aggressively and threateningly, attacked emergency aid
officials.
National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye told
journalists that they (NEMA) had to leave after the church’s security
staff, operating aggressively and threateningly, attacked emergency aid
officials.
“The church members have been
very aggressive and hostile to us; they attacked us and we had to withdraw our
services. I was attacked, the officials of the Lagos State Building Control
Agency and the General Manager of LASEMA were also attacked. We were not hurt
and our equipment was not damaged. This was, however, because we quickly left
when they attacked us. We are still waiting to settle before we resume our
job.” Farinloye said.
very aggressive and hostile to us; they attacked us and we had to withdraw our
services. I was attacked, the officials of the Lagos State Building Control
Agency and the General Manager of LASEMA were also attacked. We were not hurt
and our equipment was not damaged. This was, however, because we quickly left
when they attacked us. We are still waiting to settle before we resume our
job.” Farinloye said.
Also, Journalists were barred
from covering the incident by church members, who were trying to play down the
incident.
from covering the incident by church members, who were trying to play down the
incident.
Young men suspected to be
members of the church, mobbed and assaulted a photojournalist working for
Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), smashing his camera.
members of the church, mobbed and assaulted a photojournalist working for
Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), smashing his camera.
They also molested other
reporters and individuals who tried to take pictures of the scene.
reporters and individuals who tried to take pictures of the scene.
Reasons for the “barbaric”
behavior were unknown, but some speculated that the church may have been trying
to cover up the real cause of the collapse. Others alleged Ebola virus disease
patients were being kept there.
behavior were unknown, but some speculated that the church may have been trying
to cover up the real cause of the collapse. Others alleged Ebola virus disease
patients were being kept there.
