SOS: Okota Residents Seek Protection Against Land Grabber’s Threats and Property Destruction

Peace Estate,Okota Lagos State

Members of the Peace Estate Residents Association, located off Ago Palace Way in the Okota area of Lagos, have issued an urgent "Save Our Soul" (SOS) appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu. The petition follows a reported escalation of violence and property destruction allegedly orchestrated by an individual identified as Mr Jamiu, who residents claim is attempting to unlawfully seize a community access road.

In a formal statement released on Thursday, 22 January 2026, the association’s leadership including Chairman Sunday Egwuom and Secretary Semiu Osho Popoola detailed a series of incursions. The most recent incident occurred on 11 January 2026, when the individual allegedly led a group of thugs and security personnel to demolish an estate access gate valued at over ₦10 million.

Allegations of Infrastructure Sabotage and Violence

The residents' association claims that the dispute centers on a portion of land delineated as a public access road and drainage path in official Lagos State land registry records. According to the petitioners, the individual has made repeated attempts to erect permanent structures on this road, which would obstruct both vehicular movement and the outflow of the government-constructed drainage system.

The community cited several past instances of aggression, including:

• The destruction and burning of a wooden bridge serving the community.

• The demolition of a concrete culvert essential for drainage.

• Physical assaults on residents by individuals allegedly acting on behalf of the land grabber.

Despite these provocations, the association maintains that its members have refrained from "self help" measures, opting instead to seek redress through legal and administrative channels.

Regulatory and Legal Context

The statement noted that a previous legal suit brought by the individual against the community was dismissed by the Lagos State High Court. Furthermore, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) and the Ministry of Environment had previously intervened to demolish illegal structures erected by the individual on the contested road.

However, residents report that the individual remains "adamant" and continues to threaten the peace of the estate. The community’s letter to the Governor, which follows an earlier petition dated 7 April 2022, emphasizes that the survey plans for adjoining plots clearly mark the area in question as an access road.

Request for Executive Intervention

The residents are calling for the Governor’s immediate intervention to prevent potential loss of life and further disruption of civil order. They have urged the state government to issue a permanent order restraining any development on the community road and to hold the responsible parties accountable for the destruction of estate property.

This dispute underscores the persistent challenges regarding land tenure and the activities of "Omo Oniles" or land grabbers in Lagos State, despite the existence of the Lagos State Properties Protection Law. For investors and homeowners in the Okota axis, the resolution of this case will serve as a significant indicator of the state’s commitment to protecting property rights and communal infrastructure against unlawful incursions. A swift response from the Lagos State Government is essential to restore security and maintain the integrity of urban planning in the region.