Stakeholders in Nigeria’s real estate sector have condemned the demolition of about 50 buildings in Surulere community in Lagos, allegedly carried out by suspected land grabbers popularly known as “Omo Onile.”
The incident occurred in Amikanle, a community near the Command area of Alimosho Local Government Area, where several homeowners say they have suffered major losses after their houses were pulled down.
Residents said the suspected land grabbers stormed the community on January 27, 2026, demanding payments ranging between N15 million and N25 million from property owners.
According to them, houses belonging to those who could not meet the demands were demolished.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Oikus, Israel Ihaza, condemned the action and called for greater transparency and proper documentation in real estate transactions.
He said illegal activities in the sector often thrive where ownership records are unclear and regulatory enforcement is weak.
“It’s sad how some individuals continue to undermine government authority and regulatory structures to carry out illegal activities,” he said. “Incidents like this are troubling for anyone who believes in the rule of law and the future of real estate in Lagos.”
Ihaza explained that poor documentation and fragmented property records often create opportunities for exploitation by land grabbers.
He added that ongoing reforms aimed at improving the sector, including the digitisation of land records and stronger regulatory oversight, would help address long-standing challenges.
According to him, the activities of “Omo Onile” groups have remained a structural problem for many years, affecting both homeowners and developers.
He noted that the destruction of homes goes beyond the loss of physical property.
“When a house is demolished, it represents more than bricks and mortar. It is people’s life savings, retirement plans, children’s education and family stability,” he said.
He warned that such incidents could discourage both local and diaspora investors from investing in property development in Lagos.
Ihaza added that fear created by land disputes and illegal demolitions could slow economic growth in the housing sector.
Legal practitioner Sola Enitan also criticised the trend, describing demolition as a growing tool for extortion in parts of the country, particularly in Lagos.
He urged affected homeowners to pursue legal action and defend their property rights.
Speaking on the financial impact of the demolitions, Enitan said the losses were significant.
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According to him, if the 52 demolished buildings are valued at an average of N50 million each, the destruction represents an estimated loss of about N2.6 billion.
He warned that beyond the immediate losses, such actions could discourage investment in housing and reduce the availability of residential properties.
“For every house demolished, several potential investors may decide to move their funds elsewhere, and housing opportunities for many families will be lost,” he said.
