The Lagos State Government has initiated the demolition of several buildings in Arowojobe (Greenland) Estate, located in Maryland, Kosofe Local Government Area of the state.
A team of over a dozen officials from the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources commenced the action on Wednesday, after marking at least nine buildings for demolition on March 19. These buildings were reportedly constructed on a canal that runs through the back of the estate.
Security guards from the estate attempted to prevent the officials from entering, but were eventually overpowered by police officers accompanying the demolition team, who displayed their firearms in a show of force.
The state agents, claiming authorization from the governor, proceeded to demolish some fences within the estate. Some residents who filmed the action were met with aggression from the agents, who threatened to seize their phones.
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Responding to claims by residents that no written notice was served, an official stated that notices were served in 2020, even before some of the houses were completed.
As the demolition progressed, workers involved did not use essential safety gear such as nose masks and helmets, exposing them to potential hazards.
Reports indicate that some tenants in the affected buildings have begun moving out their belongings amidst confusion about their next steps.
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Earlier, the Commissioner for Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, had a meeting with property owners from Sholuyi Estate, another area in Kosofe LGA, where he questioned the validity of their land titles and documents.
