One of the affected buildings
Residents of Okun-Mopo, in Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos State have appealed to the state and Federal Government to rescue them from the nefarious activities of land-grabbers, who are bent on forcefully taking their Sangotedo land from their rightful owners.
As stated by them, the disputed land belongs to the traditional rulers of the Okun-Mopo community and is held in trust by the Isiaka, Oladehinde and Balogun families. But to their dismay, Lagos State government allocated the property to one Ajayi Apata Property Ltd, without any form of compensation to the indigenous owners of the land.
Speaking through their solicitor, Bolanle Olugbani & Co in a letter, a copy of which was sent to The Guardian, they stated: “Agents of the property firm invaded the community with caterpillars and bulldozers demolishing people’s homes and structures on the land. This has caused the community enormous pains and anguish because the firm claims the Okun-Mopo community land has been sold to them and they are ready to take possession.
“Heavily armed thugs with all manners of arms and amulets are being positioned on the land, with the aid of fully armed policemen. Community members can no longer move freely because of this dreadful act. This is why we are crying out to the larger society and government to come to our aid in order to prevent loss of lives and further demolition of people’s property on the land.”
Attempts by The Guardian to contact Ajayi Apata Property Ltd were unsuccessful, as all calls made to their advertised telephone numbers were not responding and text messages sent were not acknowledged or replied.
It would be recalled that the Managing Director of Lekki Free Zone Ltd, Mr. Tajudeen Disu, was killed in a similar incidence at Ibeju-Lekki during a fracas between mobile police officers and villagers of Okunraiye community, near Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, last year. The villagers were reportedly protesting the forceful takeover of their land.
Guardian