Residents lament as Lagos demolishes ‘illegal’ structures in Ikorodu

Lagos State government yesterday demolished structures that are allegedly in contravention of the state’s building regulations in Agric Bus Stop, Owusu 1 Community Development Area (CDA), Ikorodu, Lagos.

The demolition, however, rendered some residents homeless, and also affected businesses and worship centres. When The Guardian visited the area, officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) were seen demolishing the buildings with the support of officials from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, and police officers.

Lamenting, the residents said they were awaken by the noise of bulldozers and officials, who started demolishing their homes, preventing them from taking anything from their home.

Speaking, a resident, Isaac Orobose, said: “LASBCA came to us that they want to demolish and the matter was taken to court and we have been waiting for the court. We don’t have a government in Nigeria; where do I put my children? Where will the elders stay tonight?

“My house in 178 and 179 was demolished in Aduragbemi Street by LASBCA officials aided by the police. They are selling off our iron gates and others to scavengers.”

Speaking also, Owutu 1 CDA chairperson, Princess Victoria Adebowale, said: “We have been on this matter for a while and the matter has been in the court, and we were in court on Friday, March 21, 2025. We went to the House of Assembly and we were told that they will speak with LASBCA. On Wednesday, March 19, 2025 we went to the office of Physical Planning to enquire from them.

“We are aware that some people are hiding under the government to take our property from us.

“Our buildings are not in distress so, there is something fishy about the demolition.

When contacted, spokesperson for LASBCA, Ademuyiwa Adu, said: “We are only demolishing houses in distress. We have issued them with quit notices and they should have left before now. The houses are unfit.”

LASBCA had on January 23, 2025 issued quit notice to residents of the areas overthe development of shanties in the area without evidence of building permit from the Lagos State government.

But on January 28, 2025, the residents through Alexander Ishogba & Co., petitioned the Lagos State Government, Lagos State House of Assembly and the Permanent Secretary, LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki. The law firm acting as a solicitors to the Landlords and Residents Association of Agric Area in Owuti Community, Ikorodu, appealed for intervention.