Lagos residents seek government’s intervention against land grabbers

RESIDENTS of Ifelagba and Aniya Community Development Areas in Lagos have reached out to Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu, urging his immediate intervention to halt the relentless harassment and intimidation they face from land grabbers.

According to them, this urgent appeal followed a recent invasion of their community by a notorious land grabber with over 200 thugs under the guise of executing a court judgment relating to a land dispute.

In their petition to the Governor, the residents described the situation as distressing.

They stated that on February 16, 2024, they were invaded and it led to property destruction, homes being locked, and residents being extorted by the invaders.

They said though their counsel, Jiti Ogunye, has been engaging in negotiations amidst legal complexities, the community of 20,000 people continues to suffer. “We woke up to see over 200 thugs led by the Chief, invading our communities, contrary to the ban on land grabbing activities by the Lagos State Government,” the petition reads.

The petition further explained how the invaders disrupted daily life, extorted money from vulnerable residents like the blind retired civil servant, Pa

Kehinde Awokoya, and even locked religious centres such as the Methodist Church on Arepo Street.

The residents said: “All advice seems to have fallen on deaf ears as thugs up till Tuesday, March 19 continue to be on the prowl.

“At No. 6 Morakinyo Street, the thugs broke down the gate to the premises of a property that contained six lock- up shops and within a week, built a bungalow on the property.”