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.
Saturday PUNCH learnt that the thugs invaded the community on Tuesday January 27, 2026, and started demanding between N15m and N25m from house owners.
The thugs, according to some residents, have demolished the houses of those who were unable to pay.
Checks by Saturday PUNCH show that no fewer than 50 buildings, including residential houses, shops and fences, have been destroyed by the hoodlums.
Residents told our correspondent that about 300 hoodlums stormed the community, claiming they were acting on court documents from the Federal Housing Authority authorising them to collect money for house renewal, with threats to demolish any property whose owner failed to pay.
One of the children of the affected landlords, who identified himself simply as Oluwafewa, said security operatives accompanied the thugs who carried out the acts for two weeks, leaving occupants of the properties in tears and sorrow.
“The thugs asked the landlords to obtain a form, which cost N100,000. Then they demanded an initial payment of N5m, with N10m to be paid later. They charged different prices for different houses.
“Some said they were asked to pay N25m, but they demanded N15m from my parents,” he added.
When asked whether the thugs mentioned who they worked for, Oluwafewa said, “They are working for no one. They are Omo Onile, and they claimed they own the estate. The FHA has told them to desist, as it didn’t authorise any demolition.”
When our correspondent visited the community, policemen were seen seated in a corner with their vehicles parked on the street, while the hoodlums sat in front of some of the demolished buildings.
A member of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the thugs physically assaulted a resident who was filming their activities on the first day of their operation.
(Punch)
