Interesting stories often trail public figures long after they leave office. Many years after Raji Rasaki stepped down as the military Governor of Lagos State, a journalist from Ovation magazine asked him whether he was aware that Lagosians had nicknamed him “Who build this gadder.”
Rasaki burst into laughter before replying that he had indeed heard the nickname. He explained that when he checked the dictionary, he realized there was nothing wrong with what he had said because “gadder” and “bridge” meant the same thing. As a telecommunications engineer, he said he simply laughed it off.
Raji Rasaki, who later retired as a Brigadier General, was also asked about the controversial eviction of residents from Maroko, a popular Lagos community at the time, and the eventual demolition of the entire area.
He responded frankly that he had no regrets about what was done at Maroko. According to him, he knew the area very well, explaining that Victoria Island ended around the Adetokunbo Ademola area. He said he had planned redevelopment of the area, but events took a dramatic turn after a particular incident.
One evening, while returning from Epe around 8 pm with Ibrahim Babangida in the same vehicle, they were attacked by robbers. Rasaki explained that even before that incident, he had been receiving terrible security reports from the Maroko area and had twice ensured that the Inspector General removed the Divisional Police Officer there.
During the return journey from Epe, they passed through an initial attack and then encountered a more serious one around what is now Lekki Phase One. They heard gunshots, and Rasaki asked Babangida to continue driving while he jumped out of the vehicle to confront the attackers. After pursuing them, the attackers ran into Maroko.
The following morning, Rasaki summoned the Baale of the community and ordered him to produce those responsible. The Baale gave excuses. Rasaki said he remained quiet but later went to apologize to Babangida for the incident.
He recalled that before accepting the Lagos appointment, he had told Babangida to hold him fully responsible for any action he took. He described himself as a very principled person, adding that even his children understood this, as he often told them that once a soldier is always a soldier.
Rasaki said he later informed Babangida of his intention to level Maroko. Babangida initially refused and reminded him not to proceed. Rasaki asked whether Babangida had forgotten their agreement, but Babangida maintained his position and told him not to do it.
At the time, Rasaki contacted Mr Adeyemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, who said it could not be done and that even Baba Jakande had tried and failed. Rasaki replied that as a soldier, he was trained to make the impossible possible.
While Babangida was away on a two week foreign trip, Rasaki mobilized a team of officers he had trained at the Nigerian Defence Academy. He went to the signal unit and the armoury and gave clear instructions that by Monday morning, Maroko must no longer exist.
He gave the residents one week notice. By Friday, operations resumed and by Monday, the area was completely levelled. What they discovered, he said, was shocking. They found shallow graves and fake hospitals. Rasaki wanted to prosecute the Baale but refrained after the intervention of Oba Oyekan.
Residents with genuine land documents were relocated to Abesan Estate. He acknowledged Babangida’s role in resolving land ownership disputes, noting that when families such as the Oniru family and Dideolu Estate presented claims, Babangida ordered that the land be returned to them. Rasaki emphasized that even houses belonging to military officers were demolished.
According to him, clearing Maroko brought lasting relief to Victoria Island and Ikoyi, insisting that the action was taken with a clear conscience.
He also spoke proudly about clearing beggars from Ebute Metta and relocating them to Kano. He explained that his understanding of the Quran did not support permanent begging, pointing out that there were no beggars on the streets of Saudi Arabia. He described the beggars as a nuisance that dirtied the state and said he was glad Babangida did not challenge that decision.
Raji Rasaki served as the military Governor of Lagos State from July 1988 to December 1991. Before that, he was Governor of Ogun State from 1986 to December 1987 and Governor of Ondo State from December 1987 to July 1988.
Credit: Ethnic African Stories
