Family seeks Lagos intervention to preserve Ikate land

Fadekemi Ajakaiye

A landowning family has made a passionate plea to the Lagos State Government to protect their rights and not attempt to deprive them of their landed property located in Ikate, a fast-emerging middle-income neighborhood along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Until few days ago, the land had housed six yet-to-be-delivered, uninhabited duplexes. It also housed an uncompleted apartment complex.

Family sources added that they had engaged an estate developer to build luxurious homes on their land within the emerging neighborhood.

However, they claimed that for unclear reasons involving the state and the developer, the construction work was pulled down.

They said the state government alleged that the developer had not complied with known laws of the state.

The demolition, they alleged, was carried out in a joint operation involving the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Office of Urban Development, and LASBCA.

They said Lagos State officials claimed the exercise targeted structures that violated building regulations, encroached on drainage setbacks, exceeded permissible water levels, and posed risks to public safety.

The Lagos State Government had stressed that illegal constructions continue to pose significant challenges to environmental sustainability and urban planning in Lagos.

Acting General Manager of LASBCA, Bldr. Gbaye Florence reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to intensify monitoring across all zones.

She explained that the affected structures had been served multiple notices—including stop-work and demolition orders—but the developers failed to comply.

In a passionate appeal, the alarmed family through YOG, a firm, said the demolition of the buildings which were located off Kusenla Road, Ikate, Lagos, came to them as a rude shock.

“We agreed in good faith with a property developer to build habitable homes.

“We are very disappointed and intend to investigate and pursue legal action against all those involved in this catastrophe,” the family stated.