Some called it “deportation”. That was not quite correct because those removed from Lagos State by officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, to the shore of River Niger in Anambra State were Nigerian citizens. The state officials tried to dress it in nicer terms. They called it “relocation” and “re_unification with families”.

That, too, was clearly incorrect because the destitute citizens were forcibly removed and taken back to their perceived region of tribal origin; a forceful implementation of the “go back to your state” refrain that seems to have become a new chant among those who describe themselves as “original Lagos indigenes” and directed at those who do not speak their language.

Since there were no family members or government officials waiting to receive them (as they were brought back in the dead of the night), the use of the term “re_unification” was an outright lie. The fact is that the Lagos State Government, LASG, violated the constitutional rights of these people. However, I do not want to go so far as to agree that there was an ethnic cleansing agenda involved.

There are abundant evidences that KAI has done this to Northerners and even Yoruba people from adjoining states of the South West. That does not make it right though; it does not detract from the violation of the rights of Nigerian citizens to live in any part of the country.

However, to be fair, we must also see the point that the LASG seeks to make through these removals, even if done the wrong way. People are tumbling into Lagos from all corners of Nigeria and West Africa in an unprocessed, uncontrolled manner because Lagos is seen as a city of opportunity.

Indeed, it is. No particular ethnic, statist or political group can claim to have made Lagos what it is today: the economic nerve centre of West Africa. Lagos is our collective commonwealth, built with our federal money and our collective endeavours.

But Lagos is also a state under an elected government that has declared its intention to transform the metropolis into a modern economic and pleasure resort comparable to other big cities in the world. It has a duty to govern and secure the city.

It is its responsibility to remove eyesores (both human and non_human) from the streets, beautify Lagos and make it conducive for both residents and visitors from all over the world. The LASG has been doing just this, particularly since Mr Babatunde Fashola came to power in 2007. He has fought and won the battles of Oshodi and other dark spots, the battle of the okada riders on major highways and the battle of the street traders. Obviously, the removal of destitute persons is part of these battles.

In those other cities that we want to model Lagos after, destitute people are kept in shelters built and operated by city councils and voluntary, philanthropic societies. Every big society always has its share of citizens left behind in the usual economic rat race.