Stakeholders in the real estate sector have strongly condemned the demolition of around 50 buildings in Surulere Community, Amikanle by suspected land grabbers, popularly known as Omo Onile, calling for greater transparency and proper documentation in the sector.
The demolitions reportedly took place on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, in the Amikanle area near the Command section of Alimosho Local Government Area. Residents said the hoodlums demanded between ₦15 million and ₦25 million from homeowners, demolishing properties of those unable to pay.
Mr. Israel Ihaza, CEO of Oikus, described the incident as “deeply troubling,” emphasizing the need for digitized property records, strong regulatory enforcement, and professionalisation in the real estate sector to prevent such abuses. He highlighted the broader impact on life savings, children’s education, retirement plans, and investor confidence.
Sola Enitan, legal counsel to affected homeowners along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, also condemned the act, noting that demolition has become a common form of extortion in Lagos, and urged victims to assert their legal rights.
The financial loss from the demolition was estimated at ₦2.6 billion, with 52 buildings valued at around ₦50 million each, displacing at least 100 residents.
The incident underscores ongoing challenges in Lagos’s property sector, where unclear ownership records and weak regulatory enforcement continue to create opportunities for abuse.