The Lagos State government has demolished numerous structures in the Agric Bus Stop area of the Owusu 1 Community Development Area (CDA) in Ikorodu, citing breaches of building regulations. This action has left many residents without shelter and has disrupted local businesses and places of worship.
The demolition was executed by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources and law enforcement. The operation took place early in the morning, catching many residents by surprise. Eyewitnesses reported that officials arrived with bulldozers, preventing occupants from salvaging their belongings before their homes were razed.
Isaac Orobose, one of the affected residents, voiced his frustration with the government’s actions, saying, “LASBCA approached us about demolishing our homes while the matter was still in court. We were awaiting a legal resolution, yet they moved forward anyway. Now, where will I take my children? Where will the elderly go?” He also claimed that officials were selling the dismantled building materials to scavengers.
Princess Victoria Adebowale, chairperson of Owutu 1 CDA, echoed Orobose’s concerns, criticizing the demolition and emphasizing that residents had been in discussions with authorities to avert it. “We were in court on March 21 and also reached out to the Lagos State House of Assembly, where we were promised intervention. Despite this, LASBCA went ahead with the demolition,” she stated.
She further alleged that some individuals were exploiting government support to seize their properties. “Our buildings are not in distress; something suspicious is happening,” she added.
In response, Ademuyiwa Adu, a spokesperson for LASBCA, defended the agency’s actions, stating that only buildings deemed structurally unsafe were demolished. “We had issued quit notices, and residents should have vacated. These houses were unfit for habitation,” he explained.
Government records show that on January 23, 2025, LASBCA had alerted residents about unauthorized structures in the area. However, on January 28, landlords and residents, through their lawyers, petitioned the Lagos State government, the State Assembly, and the Permanent Secretary of LASBCA, requesting intervention to stop the demolition.
Despite these legal attempts, the demolitions proceeded, displacing thousands of residents and igniting outrage within the community. Many affected families are now searching for shelter and demanding accountability from the government.
