Fear and unease spread through the Bello, Kusumi Lane, and Onakoya neighborhoods in Ketu, Lagos State, as residents witnessed their homes being demolished by bulldozers and caterpillars without prior warning. The affected tenants and landlords described armed policemen, intimidating individuals, and suspected land grabbers overseeing the demolition.
Many distressed tenants claimed that the Onikosi of Ikosi, Alamu Onikosi, orchestrated the demolitions based on a court order reportedly obtained from an Ikeja court. Despite the landlords and tenants insisting on not receiving any notice before the demolition commenced, some questioned why the community was unaware of any court proceedings leading to the order.
When attempting to inquire at the monarch’s palace on Tuesday, a policeman representing the security team of the monarch prevented access, affirming the legality of the operation citing a court order authorizing the exercise. The court order reportedly revealed the involvement of various parties and granted permission for the removal of structures on the disputed land.
During interviews, tenants and property owners expressed shock and distress over the sudden demolitions, highlighting the lack of prior notification and the impact on their belongings and livelihoods. The abrupt nature of the demolitions raised concerns among residents who felt blindsided by the enforcement of the court order without adequate communication.
As the situation unfolded, residents in the affected communities found themselves in a state of uncertainty, with bulldozers and armed policemen stationed in the area, leaving many hoping for a resolution to the distressing events.