Thugs demolish Lagos houses, demand N25m from landlords

Homeowners in Surulere Community, Amikanle, near the Command area of Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, are counting their losses after suspected landgrabbers, popularly known as Omo Onile, allegedly demolished several buildings and demanded millions of naira from property owners.

Residents said the group invaded the community on January 27, 2026, demanding between N15 million and N25 million from landlords. Those who failed to comply reportedly had their properties pulled down.

Investigations indicate that no fewer than 50 structures, including residential buildings, shops and perimeter fences, were destroyed. Community members alleged that about 300 hoodlums stormed the area, claiming they were acting on court documents from the Federal Housing Authority authorising them to collect payments for property renewal, with threats of demolition for non-compliance.

A relative of one of the affected landlords, who identified himself simply as Oluwafewa, alleged that security operatives accompanied the group during the operation, which he said lasted about two weeks.

“The thugs asked the landlords to obtain a form costing N100,000. They then demanded an initial payment of N5 million, with an additional N10 million to be paid later. They charged different amounts for different houses. Some were asked to pay N25 million, but they demanded N15 million from my parents,” he said.

He added that the group claimed ownership of the estate, though the Federal Housing Authority had reportedly distanced itself from the demolition and asked them to desist.

During a visit to the community, security personnel were observed stationed nearby, while some of the suspected hoodlums were seen around demolished structures.

A community member, who spoke anonymously, alleged that the group assaulted a resident who attempted to film their activities on the first day of the invasion, nearly destroying his phone.

Another resident said the issue had persisted for years. He claimed that his uncle lost his property about a decade ago after being unable to meet a N5 million demand at the time.

Residents last week staged a peaceful protest at the site of the demolished buildings, carrying placards and calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state leaders to intervene.

One protester said roofs were removed from some buildings and that repeated complaints to authorities had yielded no response.

An official of the Federal Housing Authority, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the demolition as illegal and said the agency did not authorise the operation. The official added that staff sent to assess the situation were chased away by the suspected landgrabbers.

“We have written to the Commissioner of Police and the Lagos State Taskforce. Our officials were sent to the scene, but they were driven away,” the source said.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, said she was not aware of the incident but promised to make inquiries. She had yet to provide further updates as of the time of filing this report.