Land Dispute: Badagry Residents Appeal to Gov. Sanwo-Olu to Intervene
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Land Dispute: Badagry Residents Appeal to Gov. Sanwo-Olu to Intervene
By Roselyn James
Residents of Igbode and Osun-Egbado neighborhoods in Mowo, Badagry, Lagos State, have implored Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene and halt the planned demolition of their area, citing harassment by alleged land grabbers armed with dangerous weapons.
According to Imam Abdul-Kabir Tijani, a traditional landowner, the incursion involved hundreds of individuals accompanied by a small contingent of security personnel.
Tijani lamented the disruption of the once harmonious coexistence among residents.
Residents recounted how the invaders, on March 4, forcefully entered their neighborhoods, driving out inhabitants and defacing properties with cryptic messages such as “BD/42/2010 Possession Takeover 4/3/2024 by Court Order.” They proceeded to affix padlocks to homes, signaling their claim to the land.
Further investigations revealed conflicting claims to the land.
Oba Olamilekan James, the Aholu of the Kweme kingdom, asserted his father’s purchase of the land in 1975, asserting his family’s rightful ownership.
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Alhaji Jinadu Adeshina, a landlord, also spoke, saying, “The thugs even marked Mowo Model Junior School for demolition, and ever since they have been threatening the students and teachers by interrupting academic activities in the School.”Due to the disruption of academic activities caused by the demolition exercise, which affected the children, the school had to close on Friday.
“They threatened to begin the scheduled destruction by Friday, May 10, 2024, in another letter they delivered on Thursday. Since the issue is already in court, we promptly petitioned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Chief Judge of Lagos through an SOS through our attorney. We are pleading with Sanwo-Olu to assist us in this situation because we are unable to sleep at this time with both eyes closed.
