Tension has gripped FHA Estate, Abesan 6, in the Surulere/Alagbado axis of Lagos State following allegations that suspected land-grabbing thugs, popularly known as Omo-Onile, backed by armed Lagos State task force operatives and police SWAT officers, demolished scores of houses and demanded millions of naira from homeowners.
Affected residents told Chronicles Reporters on Monday that the armed group stormed the estate with bulldozers and security escorts, pulling down fences, demolishing buildings, and forcefully taking over properties under the claim that they were enforcing a court judgment.
According to the residents, the operation was carried out in a coordinated manner, with armed men blocking resistance while bulldozers moved from one section of the estate to another.
“They came with heavily armed task force operatives, SWAT officers, and thugs,” one resident said. “They told us the land belongs to them and that they have a court judgment. Immediately, they started breaking houses, pulling down fences, and taking over properties. People were terrified.”
Residents said the demolitions were carried out in phases, leaving dozens of families displaced.
“In my area alone, more than 70 houses have had their fences destroyed, and over 20 houses have already been taken over completely,” another resident said. “Most occupants ran away because of fear.”
Following the demolitions, the residents alleged that the group began demanding huge sums of money from homeowners to prevent further destruction.
“They first said half a plot was ₦70 million, then reduced it to ₦50 million, later ₦40 million. For a quarter plot, they asked for ₦20 million,” a resident explained.
Despite pleas from residents who said they could not afford such amounts, the alleged land grabbers reportedly continued demolitions and issued fresh ultimatums.
“They are now asking everyone to bring a minimum of ₦5 million within 24 hours as a sign of commitment, then sign an undertaking to pay the balance before the 20th of this month,” another resident said. “Most of us are ordinary people. We don’t have that kind of money.”
Residents said the visible presence of armed police officers and task force operatives alongside the alleged thugs has left them feeling helpless and afraid.
“SWAT and task force officers are with them. Everyone is paralysed by fear,” a resident lamented. “How can someone demand ₦5 million in 24 hours and another ₦15 million days later? Where are we supposed to get that money?”
Videos seen by Chronicles Reporters show several demolished structures and destroyed fences within the estate.
Another resident, who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisals, said the entire Surulere Community in the Alagbado area has been under siege for days.
“They said they have judgment to take over the whole community,” the resident said. “They started with ₦75 million per plot, then reduced it to ₦42.1 million for half plot and ₦22.1 million for quarter plot. If you don’t pay, they demolish your house.”
The resident added that the group had threatened to return for further demolitions.
“They said they are coming again tomorrow. People can’t sleep anymore. Some residents are already sick from fear and tension,” the source said.
The distressed homeowners have appealed to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene and stop the demolitions and alleged extortion.
“We are begging the government to step in before more people lose their homes,” one resident said. “They promised that tomorrow will be brutal if we don’t pay.”
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Lagos State Government nor the Lagos State Police Command had issued an official response to the allegations.