Table of Contents
- Residents Raise Alarm
- Call for Presidential Intervention
- Residents' Demands
- Eyewitness Accounts
- Legal Land Occupation
- Assault on Community Chairman
- Tragic Loss of a Resident
- Statements from Community Leaders
- Pursuing Legal Action
- Official Response
Residents of the Isoko Community in the Eti-Osa Local Council of Lagos State have expressed their outrage over what they consider the unlawful and forceful demolition of their homes and businesses.
The community is urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to swiftly intervene by initiating an independent investigation into the incident.
In addition to the investigation, the residents are calling for the identification and prosecution of those responsible, the restoration of their demolished properties or fair compensation, protection from further harassment, and justice for all affected families.
According to community leaders and eyewitnesses, bulldozers allegedly accompanied by armed personnel and individuals associated with government interests invaded the area without prior notice, demolishing residential and commercial structures valued at billions of naira.
The demolition reportedly occurred despite previous petitions submitted by the community, with no formal response from the authorities.
The Isoko community asserts that it has occupied the land for nearly sixty years under a legitimate 50-year lease agreement with the Ojomu family, claiming to have documents that validate its legal rights to the land.
Residents argue that these documents were submitted to the appropriate government offices, yet there was no official communication prior to the destruction of their properties.
Witnesses also reported that the community chairman was assaulted during the operation, while properties belonging to at least fourteen landlords were demolished.
The incident has been further associated with the death of a resident, Gift Ologbo, who reportedly collapsed after losing her home and livelihood.
Community chairman, Lucky Ozero, described the demolition as sudden and devastating, stating that decades of peaceful living and investment were erased in a single morning.
He made a direct appeal to the President for intervention, emphasizing that residents were denied any form of fair hearing.
Community secretary, Clements Okeh, noted that the demolition left elderly individuals, widows, and families homeless, asserting that the operation constituted intimidation and a severe violation of their rights.
An elder, Paul Irakpo, revealed that land preparation activities, including sand-filling, commenced immediately after the demolition, indicating a premeditated takeover.
He further claimed that the traditional ruler of the Ojomu family denied authorizing the operation.
The community has retained Rotimi Williams Chambers to pursue legal action, but efforts to obtain official explanations from authorities have reportedly been unsuccessful.
When contacted, Mukaila Sanusi, the Director of Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, stated that he was unaware of the demolition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the residents of Isoko Community to raise an alarm?
The residents raised an alarm over the unlawful and forceful demolition of their homes and businesses, which they believe was conducted without notice or justification.
What are the residents demanding from the government?
The residents are demanding an independent investigation, identification and prosecution of those responsible, restoration or compensation for their demolished properties, protection from further intimidation, and justice for all affected families.
What legal actions are the residents taking?
The community has engaged Rotimi Williams Chambers to pursue legal action against those responsible for the demolition.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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