Residents Accuse Lagos Monarch Of Land-Grabbing, Property Seizures, Demand Govt Action
The residents of Ajegunle in the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government of Lagos State have accused the Oba of Ijora, AbdulFatai Oyeyinka Aremu Aromire Oyegbemi II, of illegal property seizures, land-grabbing, and extortion in the community.
In a statement on Saturday seen by SaharaReporters, the residents alleged that the monarch’s thugs have been invading homes, destroying property, and displacing families in acts they described as “barbaric.”
“We, the good people of Ajegunle in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government, have come under attacks from Oba Ojora of Ijora, which has led to the destruction of properties, displacement of people, invasion of our privacy, and forceful and unlawful takeover of many properties. This barbaric act of roof removal, property seizures, and land-grab in Ajegunle has been going on for some years unchecked. But there was an upsurge in August 2025, wherein over 30 houses were invaded by Oba Ojora of Ijora’s thugs within 3 days, leaving behind a tale of destruction, injury, loss of property, and loss of life. We demand an end to these barbaric attacks.”
According to the residents, the monarch has also imposed arbitrary levies under the guise of “family royalty fees.”
“Oba Ojora also imposed an annual family royalty fee on many houses in Ajegunle, and it is being used as a pretext for land-grabbing of property of those who fail to pay or cannot prove payment for a few years. This royalty fee is paid in cash as Oba Ojora does not make available the official palace or family bank account.”
They further alleged that the system is deliberately structured to extort residents.
“While proper receipts are not given at first instance, in case you misplace the paper given to you as a slip of payment, Oba Ojora will treat you as if you have not paid the royalty fee. This dubious approach is deployed to avoid proper documentation and subject the innocent victim to further extortion and expose the owner to illegal house seizure of Oba Ojora.”
The residents described the process as violent and lawless.
“These attacks are usually carried out through weapon-wielding thugs hired by the Ojora of Ijora to wreak havoc, harass people, destroy property (destruction of roof, doors, windows, etc.), create fear amongst occupants, and force the occupants (landlords and tenants) to flee, thereby paving the way for the forceful takeover of the properties and eventual resale to another person(s). In the past, they have used OPC, OP-MENSA, Police, and Court Sheriff.”
They lamented that government authorities have failed to intervene.
“These broad-day land-grab and lawlessness are happening in Lagos State, which prides itself as the Centre of Excellence, while the Lagos State Government and Ajerom-Ifelodun Local Government stand aloof. The Nigerian Police have also failed to arrest and prosecute these thugs, and their sponsors. This shows how the attacks enjoy the tacit support of the police and government at all levels.”
“Moreover, these violent takeovers of property did not follow due process, and there are no court orders authorising them.”
“It is a clear case of brigandage. Being an Oba (King) does not confer on him the power to attack people and destroy their properties. We expect Oba AbdulFatai Oyeyinka Aremu Aromire Oyegbemi II to seek civil means and judicial process if he has any claim to any property. Oba Ojora’s action is tantamount to a crime against humanity, not a far difference in tactics employed by Boko Haram and kidnappers reported in some parts of the country.”
The group noted that the situation is worsening Lagos State’s housing crisis.
“There is an overwhelming housing deficit of 3.4 million units in Lagos, coupled with the rising cost of house rental, with no concrete and substantial intervention or housing plan from the government. Increasingly, many people are forced to live in overcrowded and ghetto-like housing arrangements or on the street with no roof over their heads. Therefore, the land-grab activity of Oba AbdulFatai Oyeyinka Aremu Aromire II has further worsened the housing crisis in Ajegunle and by extension, Lagos State.”
They called on the monarch to embrace peace and urged authorities to act swiftly.
“The traditional institution, if it has to remain relevant, should be used to promote peace and unity while upholding the tradition and culture. We hereby call on Oba Ojora to use his position and royalty to promote peace, unity, and harmony in Ajegunle.”
“We call on the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Chairman, the Lagos State Governor, the Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development and Commissioner of Police, Lagos State to wade into this matter with the urgency and seriousness it deserves by ending the ongoing land-grabbing activities in Ajegunle, arresting the thugs and their sponsors, prosecuting them while adequate compensation should be paid to all victims.”
They also demanded an independent investigation. “We also demand a democratic public panel of enquiry constituted by representatives of Ajegunle community people, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) etc., to look into the forceful and illegal destruction of properties and extortion of property owners.”
Finally, the residents urged Ajegunle people to organise and resist.
“We call on the Ajegunle people (landlords, tenants, traders, workers, etc.) to rise to the occasion by organising themselves into a big movement against the attacks and land-grabbing activities of Oba AbdulFatai Oyeyinka Aremu Aromire Oyegbemi II.”
“This movement should also demand good and accountable governance. Ajegunle people should also organise such a movement to stop all other attacks and violations of the rights and dignity of the people, including undertaking all measures towards bringing about a pro-people government that meets the needs of the working masses.”
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
