Hoodlums Demolish Over 50 Homes in Lagos Community, Residents Cry Out

Many homeowners in Surulere Community, Amikanle, near the Command area of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, are counting their losses after suspected landgrabbers, popularly known as Omo Onile, demolished several houses in the area.

Harmattan News  gathered that the hoodlums invaded the community on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, and began demanding between N15 million and N25 million from property owners. Houses belonging to those unable to pay have since been pulled down.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that no fewer than 50 buildings, including residential houses, shops, and fences, have been destroyed.

Residents said about 300 hoodlums stormed the area, claiming to have court documents from the Federal Housing Authority authorising them to collect money for house renewal. They allegedly threatened to demolish any property whose owner failed to comply.

One of the affected landlords’ children, who gave his name simply as Oluwafewa, said the thugs operated for two weeks, sometimes accompanied by security operatives, leaving residents in distress.

“The thugs asked the landlords to obtain a form for N100,000. They demanded an initial payment of N5 million, with another N10 million to be paid later. Some were asked to pay as much as N25 million, but my parents were told to pay N15 million,” he said.

When asked who the thugs worked for, Oluwafewa said, “They work for no one. They are Omo Onile, and they claim they own the estate. The FHA has told them to desist, as it did not authorise any demolition.”

A visit to the community by Harmattan new  showed policemen stationed in a corner with their vehicles parked on the street, while the hoodlums sat in front of some of the demolished buildings.

A community member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a resident was assaulted for filming the thugs’ activities on the first day of the invasion.

“They beat someone who was filming them. They nearly destroyed his phone. They really dealt with us,” he said.

Another resident said the problem had persisted for years, adding that his uncle lost his property to the same group a decade ago after he could not afford the N5 million demanded.

“My uncle lost his property to them 10 years ago. The matter has existed for years, and I don’t think there is any solution in sight. He didn’t have the money to give them, and he forfeited his house,” he said.

Last week, residents staged a peaceful protest in front of the demolished buildings, displaying placards and calling on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other political leaders to intervene.

One of the protesters said, “They mounted our buildings and removed the roofs. We have been to many offices to lodge complaints, but no help has been offered. At this point, we don’t know what to do.”

An official of the Federal Housing Authority, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the thugs’ activities were illegal. He said staff sent to monitor the situation were chased away by the hoodlums.

“They were impersonating. The FHA didn’t send the thugs. We were told about the incident by the residents. We have written to the Commissioner of Police and the Lagos State Taskforce. We also sent our officials to the scene, but the thugs chased them away,” he said.

When contacted on Thursday, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said she was not aware of the incident and promised to provide details later. However, she had not responded to calls or messages as of the time of filing this report.