CITIZENS COMPASS– Some land grabbers popularly known as ‘Omo Oniles’ have reportedly evicted some home owners out of their various homes in the Makoko, Yaba area of Lagos.
Among the eviction methods was to remove the building roofs of some homes and forcefully compelled the owners to sell off their property and relocate out of the vicinity.
It was gathered that those who compiled were offered a paltry sum of money while those who refused were subjected to inhumane treatment.
Not only these, the land grabbers were said to have launched a renewed wave of brutal and inhumane attacks on the innocent occupants leaving many in a pitiable condition.
According to multiple accounts received by Lagos Reporters, the latest incident occurred over the weekend at about 1:30 a.m., when some suspected land grabbers stormed the area accompanied by thugs armed with machetes, cutlasses, and bottles.
Some residents who spoke about the harsh condition said the attackers began tearing off roofs from occupied buildings under the cover of darkness, targeting individuals who insisted on keeping their land.
In a chat with our Correspondent, one of the victims of the attack said that the attackers told him point-blank that since he was not willing to sell, they would make the house “uninhabitable.”
“This is wickedness. They came with weapons, in the middle of the night, and started removing our roofs. What kind of society is this?” said a distressed resident. “They are trying to kill us by exposing our families to the cold, rain, and danger—just to steal our land.”
Witnesses described the operation as well-coordinated and deeply frightening, with some residents forced to flee for safety. Many now sleep with one eye open, unsure when the next attack will come.
Community leaders say they have reported the matter to the authorities but claim little to no action has been taken to curb the menace. They are calling on the Lagos State Government, the police, and relevant land agencies to intervene before the situation escalates further.
“This is no longer just about land. It’s about life and security. People are being turned into refugees in their own homes,” said one local elder.
—Lagos Reporters,
