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Homeowners in the Amikanle area of Surulere, near the Command zone in Alimosho Local Government, are reeling after suspected landgrabbers, known locally as Omo Onile, demolished several properties and demanded huge sums of money from landlords.
According to residents, the gang stormed the community on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, demanding payments ranging from N15 million to N55 million per property, depending on the size of the land. Those unable to pay reportedly had their homes destroyed.
Investigations by our correspondent revealed that no fewer than 70 structures, including residential houses, shops, and fences, have been torn down. Residents claimed that around 300 hoodlums carried out the demolition, presenting what they said were court documents from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) authorising them to collect money for “house renewal.” They allegedly threatened to demolish any property whose owners failed to comply.
One affected landlord’s child, who identified himself only as Oluwafewa, said security operatives accompanied the thugs during the two-week operation, leaving occupants devastated.
“They made us obtain a form costing N100,000 and then demanded an initial payment of N5 million, with the balance due within two weeks. Prices varied for different houses. My parents were asked to pay N15 million, though others were told N25 million,” he said.
When asked who the thugs were working for, Oluwafewa said, “They claimed to own the estate themselves. The FHA has clarified that it never authorized any demolition and has instructed them to desist.”
During a visit to the community, our correspondent observed policemen stationed at a corner, with vehicles parked along the street, while the hoodlums sat in front of some of the demolished buildings.
A resident who spoke anonymously recounted that one of their neighbors was assaulted while filming the gang on the first day of the attacks. “They beat the man and nearly destroyed his phone. It was terrifying,” he said.
Other residents noted that such incidents have a long history in the area. One resident explained that his uncle lost his property to Omo Onile ten years ago after being unable to meet similar extortion demands.
The destruction prompted residents to stage a peaceful protest last week, holding placards calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state authorities to intervene. “They mounted our buildings and stripped roofs. We have reported this to multiple offices, but no help has come. At this point, we don’t know what to do,” one protester said.
An FHA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the demolition was illegal and said some agency staff sent to monitor the situation were chased away by the thugs. “They were impersonating FHA agents. We have informed the Commissioner of Police and the Lagos State Taskforce, but the thugs still prevented our officials from operating,” the official said.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, were initially met with a promise to investigate, but subsequent calls and messages went unanswered.
Residents remain anxious as they await official intervention, fearing further destruction of their properties.
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