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.”
“On the same street, they locked the gate of a house, leaving only the pedestrian passage. The residents could not use their vehicles for three weeks.
“The gate is still locked. Pa Awokoya in his mid 70s is a blind retired civil servant. His only home at No 9, Captain Kola street was completely locked.
“The thugs extorted N50,000 from him before he could gain access into the small bungalow he built at the time of his youth. I have nowhere to go, he told the thugs, tears streaming off his face.
“Alhaji Ola Badmus is a respected community leader whose business is block making. The thugs have turned his premises, which also serves as his home, to their base, disrupting his business and family life.
“Religious centres are not left out. A Methodist Church on Arepo Street has been under lock and key since the invasion, every plea by members to be allowed to hold even Sunday services was rebuffed,” claimed.
The residents said despite efforts by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to mediate and prevent further chaos, the thugs persist in their activities, ignoring the rights and well-being of law-abiding citizens.
Mr. Ogunye’s letter to Governor Sanwo-Olu underscores the community’s plea for government intervention to restore peace and protect their fundamental rights.
The petition highlights that a meeting was held on March 12, 2024, where stakeholders including Alhaji Suraju Ologunebi, representatives of the Odualabe Royal family, and Ifelagba CDA elders, were present and emphasised the need to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
They said the situation remains as the land grabbers continue to operate with impunity, disregarding official directives and causing distress to innocent residents.
The residents reiterate their commitment to peaceful negotiations but stressed that this can only occur in an atmosphere devoid of coercion and chaos.
They appeal to Governor Sanwo-Olu to urgently intervene and ensure that justice is served, restoring normalcy to their communities and safeguarding their rights against land-grabbing activities.
