Many homeowners in Surulere Community, Amikanle, near the Command area of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, are counting their losses after suspected landgrabbers, popularly known as Omo Onile, demolished several houses in the area.

It was learnt that the thugs invaded the community on Tuesday January 27, 2026, and started demanding between N15m and N25m from house owners.

The thugs, according to some residents, have demolished the houses of those who were unable to pay.

Checks show that no fewer than 50 buildings, including residential houses, shops and fences, have been destroyed by the hoodlums.

Residents told our correspondent that about 300 hoodlums stormed the community, claiming they were acting on court documents from the Federal Housing Authority authorising them to collect money for house renewal, with threats to demolish any property whose owner failed to pay.

One of the children of the affected landlords, who identified himself simply as Oluwafewa, said security operatives accompanied the thugs who carried out the acts for two weeks, leaving occupants of the properties in tears and sorrow.

“The thugs asked the landlords to obtain a form, which cost N100,000. Then they demanded an initial payment of N5m, with N10m to be paid later. They charged different prices for different houses.

“Some said they were asked to pay N25m, but they demanded N15m from my parents,” he added.

When asked whether the thugs mentioned who they worked for, Oluwafewa said, “They are working for no one. They are Omo Onile, and they claimed they own the estate. The FHA has told them to desist, as it didn’t authorise any demolition.”

When our correspondent visited the community, policemen were seen seated in a corner with their vehicles parked on the street, while the hoodlums sat in front of some of the demolished buildings.

A member of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the thugs physically assaulted a resident who was filming their activities on the first day of their operation.

“They beat someone who was filming them on the day they first invaded our community. They nearly destroyed the man’s phone. They really dealt with us,” he said.

Another resident told our correspondent that the action had been ongoing for years, adding that his uncle, who owned a house in the area 10 years ago, relocated after he could not afford the amount demanded by the Omo Onile.

My uncle lost his property to them 10 years ago. The matter has existed for years, and I don’t think there is any solution in sight. That was how they came about 10 years ago and demanded N5m from my uncle. He didn’t have the money to give them, and he forfeited his house,” the resident said.

It was gathered that the residents last week staged a peaceful protest in front of the demolished buildings, displaying different placards to call on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other political leaders in the state to intervene.

One of the residents who participated in the protest said, “They mounted our buildings and removed the roofs. We have been to many offices to lodge complaints, but no help has been offered. At this point, we don’t know what to do.”

An official of the Federal Housing Authority who has been relating with the affected building owners said the thugs’ activities were illegal.

The official, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said some members of staff deployed to the area to monitor the level of demolition were also chased away by the thugs.

“They were impersonating. The FHA didn’t send the thugs. We were told about the incident by the residents. We have written to the Commissioner of Police and even the Lagos State Taskforce to that effect. We also sent our officials to the scene, but the thugs chased them away,” he said.

However, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said she was not aware of the matter when contacted on Thursday, promising to find out about the incident and revert to our correspondent.

But Adebisi neither answered calls nor replied to the messages sent to her afterwards. (Saturday PUNCH)