Land-grabbing thugs popularly called “Omo Onile” have demolished over 50 buildings in the Surulere community of Lagos State.
It was gathered that many homeowners in the Surulere community, Amikanle, near the Command area of the Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, are counting their losses after several houses were demolished in the area.
Chronicle NG also gathered that the thugs invaded the community on Tuesday, 27 January 2026, and started demanding between N15m and N25m from house owners.
The thugs, according to some residents, have demolished the houses of those who were unable to pay.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oikus, Mr. Israel Ihaza, bemoaned the act and called for transparency, structure, and proper documentation in how real estate activities are conducted.
“It’s sad how some individuals continue to bastardize government authority and existing regulatory structures to carry out illegal activities. Incidents like this are deeply troubling and painful for everyone who believes in the rule of law and the future of real estate in Lagos,” Ihaza said.
According to him, disorder thrives in areas of opacity, and when ownership records are ambiguous, enforcement is lax, and property visibility is dispersed, “it creates room for abuse by bad actors.”
Ihaza emphasized that the government is actively working toward stronger systems, digital oversight, and regulatory enforcement to curb these long-standing issues.
“Efforts are underway to professionalize the sector, digitize records, and improve accountability across the value chain. These reforms take time, but they are necessary. The so-called Omo Onile menace has been a structural challenge for years. I have personally experienced related pressures in the past, not in this exact scenario, but enough to understand the emotional and financial trauma involved,” he said.
He noted that whenever a house is demolished, the damage goes far beyond bricks and mortar: “It’s life savings, it’s retirement plans, it’s children’s school fees, and it’s stability. The broader implication is even more concerning.
“It creates fear among local investors, fear among diaspora Nigerians looking to return capital home, and fear among developers planning new projects. And fear slows economic growth.
“This is why enforcement and visible consequences matter. The faster such incidents are decisively addressed within the framework of the law, the stronger investor confidence becomes.”
Sola Enitan, the legal counsel for the project-affected persons within the 150-meter setback of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, further stated that demolition has become an easier means of extortion in Nigeria, particularly in Lagos State, and urged the affected parties to fight for their rights.
