Residents of Natufe Estate, located off Babs Animashaun Road in the Bode Thomas area of Surulere, Lagos, have staged a peaceful protest against the planned construction of a cemetery in their neighbourhood.
On Saturday, protesters marched through the community carrying placards with messages such as “Protect our children, our health, our environment,” and “No cemetery in our community our homes deserve life, not graves.”
The demonstration ended at the proposed construction site a large plot of land surrounded by residential buildings, a school, and a church, just a few metres from the Bode Thomas traffic light junction.
Community Raises Environmental and Health Concerns
Speaking during the protest, Omolabake Aminat Braimoh, Chairperson of the Natufe/Animashaun Community Development Association (CDA), said residents have consistently opposed the project for years.
According to her, the developer had first attempted to begin construction over two years ago but was stopped following strong community resistance. Recently, however, construction activities resumed, prompting renewed demonstrations.
“We have been battling poor infrastructure in this community bad roads, lack of pipe-borne water, and constant flooding caused by nearby canals,” Braimoh said.
“We rely solely on boreholes for water, which could be contaminated if a cemetery is built so close to our homes. This environment is not suitable for such a project.”
She stressed that the area is strictly residential, hosting families, schools, and churches, and urged the government to intervene to protect public health and community safety.
CDA Insists on Due Process
Braimoh added that the CDA has written several letters to relevant government agencies, outlining their opposition and requesting an immediate halt to the development. Despite these efforts, she said the developer and his associates have continued work on the site.
“We believe in due process and will not take the law into our own hands,” she said. “But we expect the authorities to listen to the voice of the people and act swiftly.”
Former CDA Chairman, Olarenwaju Olaniyan, corroborated her account, noting that the developer, Olumide Amure, faced similar opposition from the community during his own tenure.“This is not the first time residents are rising against this project,” Olaniyan said. “The concerns are genuine we are talking about the safety and wellbeing of hundreds of people living here.”
Residents Call for Government Intervention
Residents are appealing to the Lagos State Government to intervene and prevent what they describe as an “incompatible development” in their residential area.
They argue that the establishment of a cemetery in such a densely populated neighborhood could pose health and environmental risks and further worsen the community’s infrastructural problems.
As of press time, construction work at the site had reportedly slowed down, though no official statement had been issued by the developer or the relevant state authorities.
