Kunle Adelabu & Wale Jagun
Following their ‘Save Our Souls’ petition to the Lagos State Government about two weeks ago, residents of Otunba Theophilus T.O.S. Benson Estate located between the GRA Scheme II and the Alogba Estate in Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, have again appealed for help as security agents and others wearing hood to cover their faces stormed the area and demolished houses.
The gun – wielding men who were allegedly accompanied by the officials of LASBCA last weekend, embarked on another round of demolition and allegedly threatened to shoot anyone that attempted to take photograph or video while conducting their operation.
The traumatised residents have petitioned the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu and Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa, and also copied necessary quarters to save their souls from those terrorising them and demolishing their houses.
They alleged that officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) are conniving with GRA Phase II residents to dislodge them from their homes to achieve their aims of extending their estate into T.O.S. Benson Estate lands. The aggrieved residents claim they bought their landed properties from the rightful owners.
One of the victims of the recent demolition, Mr Isa Ijape appealed to the members of the public for help in stopping those allegedly terrorising his neighbouhood.
He said the building that was partially demolished some weeks back when the LASBCA officials came was totally pulled down on their return last weekend.
“We are appealing to the Governor and our representatives to intervene in our matter and assist us. They should help and stand by us. God will stand by them too.
“They first demolished the house sometime ago, but not completely and when they came the second time last Friday, everything was pulled down,” Mr Ijape explained.
“This situation has scattered many families with wives and children turning to someone else’s family when their houses have been demolished.
While further appealing to the government, the resident said that one of the residents whose houses was firs demolished is now battling with stroke due to the experience.
“The government should intervene and stop those using LASBCA to terrorise the residents allegedly.
“The owner of the house that was first demolished, Afo Oyo, is battling with stroke at present. Also, Uche another home owner whose house has been demolished is in hospital reportedly.
,“They are using LASBCA to demolish without serving us any notice. These are houses that we have been occupying for more tan 20 years,” another affected said
Mr Sulaimon Akintunde, a resident of the area alleged that residents of GRA Phase II are the ones using LASBCA to force them out.
“Haa, the experiences have been horrific and sad for the residents with these people coming at will to demolish our houses. They first came on August the 7th 2023 with LASBCA. It was someone in the estate that brought them.
“They were saying that we are not fit to be in their neighbourhood with our two and three – bed apartments but they all met us here while they were moving into their estate.
“We bought our lands when this place was a bush, ” he said.
Anjorin Lateef, one of the leaders of the concerned residents also appealed to the government and elected representatives to t intervene. He said that LASCA officials were demolishing their houses on the ground that the buildings have no approval without serving them notice.
He alleged that the government officials in connivance with some people are taking over their lands and selling them to other people.
He also stated that the occupants purchased their lands from the rightful owners – the TOS Benson family. Mr Anjorin informed our reporters that the matter is in court and that the rule of law should be followed by allowing the court to rule over the matter.
When contacted, Engr. Ladipo Olatunbosun, the LASBCA officer in charge of GRA Phase II, queried our reporter for contacting him and later directed him to go to the agency’s headquarters at GRA Ikeja or the Ikorodu office.
