By Oluwabukola Raji
Oworonshoki community in Lagos has been thrown into confusion following a series of midnight demolitions that residents claim were carried out under questionable circumstances.
According to eyewitness accounts, bulldozers moved in under the cover of darkness, pulling down buildings without clear warnings. Families woke up to find their homes and businesses reduced to rubble, with many left stranded in the process.
Frustrated residents took their grievances to the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), where they met with the General Manager, Gbolahan Oki. Sources at the meeting allege that Oki initially said he was unaware of the demolitions until he placed a phone call. He reportedly discovered a contact name, “Sheye,” on the abatement papers tied to the exercise. When asked who gave the order, Sheye allegedly replied that it was “Kabiyesi.”
Determined to seek clarity, the residents pressed for an audience with their monarch, Oba Saliu. It took three days before they were received. When they finally met him, the king was said to have expressed displeasure at the presence of “face-me-I-face-you” houses in the community, arguing that Oworonshoki’s proximity to the Third Mainland Bridge demanded modern and fine buildings. He allegedly added that he was not interested in the residents’ money but wanted better structures in the area.
Despite the monarch’s remarks, demolitions reportedly continued. In one viral video, a woman broke down in tears as she narrated how she sold her property in Ikorodu for ₦10 million to build a new home in Oworonshoki in line with the king’s wishes. “I did everything to meet the standard, but my house was still demolished. My sweat is gone,” she cried.
The incident has sparked outrage across Lagos, with many questioning the transparency of the process and the role of traditional authorities in urban development. Civil rights groups and residents are calling on the Lagos State Government to intervene urgently before the crisis worsens.
