The controversy surrounding widespread demolitions of properties across Lagos State has continued to attract public outrage, with many residents accusing relevant authorities of insensitivity and lack of due process. In recent months, countless homes, many built after years of sacrifice and investment, have been reduced to rubble within minutes. For several families, the emotional trauma has led to serious health crises, including reported cases of heart attacks triggered by the sudden loss of lifetime investments.
Fresh investigations now suggest that internal sabotage and corruption may be worsening an already fragile situation, particularly in the FESTAC Town axis under the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). According to credible sources, some compromised individuals within the system allegedly collaborate with private buyers - some influential Igbo business moguls - seeking vacant plots. These actors reportedly offer illicit payments to FHA staff and lobby for the demolition of contested properties with the promise of purchasing the cleared land at premium rates.
Insiders insist that the current FHA management, including its Director, maintains a reputation for integrity and may be unaware of these covert dealings. However, residents argue that the existence of a pending court case involving FESTAC landowners and the FHA makes any unauthorized demolition not only unlawful but a direct affront to judicial authority. They warn that certain officers may be undermining court processes for personal gain, an act that erodes trust in public institutions.
Community stakeholders describe such actions as unpatriotic, exploitative, and damaging to the credibility of legitimate businesspeople. They question how any individual, irrespective of ethnic or business affiliation, could influence officials to destroy another citizen’s home purely for financial advantage.
At the heart of the crisis is a growing concern that the Lagos State Government and FHA must operate above board and restore faith in public administration. The idea that some officials might accept large sums of money to orchestrate demolitions, residents say, paints a troubling picture and raises broader questions about governance, accountability, and citizen protection.
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Observers stress that any government institution, in Lagos or elsewhere, has a fundamental responsibility to safeguard the rights and properties of both rich and poor. Demolitions carried out without transparency, fairness, and lawful backing do not only destabilize communities; they also undermine confidence in the agencies entrusted with public welfare.
In light of these allegations, affected residents are calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Lagos State Government, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and other relevant agencies to launch a thorough investigation. They insist that anyone found culpable, whether public officials or private collaborators, must face the full weight of the law.
As tension continues to build across FESTAC and other parts of Lagos, homeowners are pleading with the FHA to prioritize protection rather than demolition. Many believe that only a transparent, accountable, and people-focused approach can bring lasting confidence back to the housing sector and reassure citizens that their investments and homes are safe.
Okoye Chukwuma Franklin is a Development Journalist, Education consultant, and Executive Director of Hallmark Media Hallmark Media (Commonwealth Africa Journal) Abuja
