Suspected Land Grabbers invade Lagos school, claim ownership

The administration of Shalom Nursery and Primary School and Cedar College, Baruwa, Ipaja, Lagos, has issued a warning following the invasion of their school premises by people suspected of being land grabbers, who also allegedly assaulted several school employees.

According to the proprietress, Mrs Adedayo Odeka, the land grabbers invaded the school premises on Saturday with two armed policemen to carry out the act.

But Odeka said when she requested for a copy of the purported judgment, from the two policemen that accompanied them to the premises after they forcefully gained entry into the school, they refused to let them see a copy of the alleged ex parte injunction secured from the court.

She disclosed that the land in question was bought from government and there is no dispute or any court matter concerning the property and as there are documents to back their claim.

“We plead with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to intervene, there is no dispute on the land. We are begging government to come and rescue us from land grabbers.”

The proprietress further said the management alerted the Alagolo Police Station Ipaja and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) called both parties to a meeting to resolve the issue amicably, but the land grabbers left the meeting angrily and went back to the school premises to Continue the act of illegality.

When The Guardian visited the school, yesterday, more than 200 pupils were seen in front of the school gate carrying placards with various inscriptions such as ‘save our school; I came to school this morning only to be denied access; we want to learn, among others.

Principal of the College, Mrs Oluwatoyin Okocha, told The Guardian that the land grabbers invaded the school and pulled down the gates.
Okocha noted that the land grabbers came with armed policemen and all effort to appeal to them fell on deaf ears as they threatened to shoot.

Also, the PTA Chairman, Mr. Champion Afolayan ,said: “We rushed down here at the weekend, the hoodlums that invaded the school numbered 100, we passed through the back gate to rescue the students and our daughter, a boarder. The school and alleged land grabbers should have a dialogue and settle whatever issues amicably.

“Our children should be considered, they are our future leaders, their mates are in school, while they are outside”.

When The Guardian contacted the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Superintendent of Police (SP), Benjamin Hundeyin on the issue, he said it is not a police case but a civil matter.

He said the police will not interfere in the matter except there is criminality to it.

“If they start fighting, we are going to step in but as long as it is over land, we would not step in”.

Source: guardian