The demolition of Saraki’s political home, known as “Ile Arúgbó” in Ilorin, was initiated by the Kwara State Government in the early hours of Thursday, January 2, 2020. According to Murtala Olanrewaju, the commissioner of communications for Kwara state, the demolition was carried out early to prevent unnecessary protests. The state government also refuted claims of receiving a court order to stop the demolition and urged residents to remain calm.
In a statement, the Kwara State Government clarified that the reclamation exercise began early in the morning to avoid confrontation and that there were no court papers served prior to the government’s actions. The government emphasized the need for calm and rationality, advising the public to focus on the facts of the matter rather than succumb to emotional reactions.
The government’s priority is to restore order within the bounds of the law.