Tobias Sylvester
Panic gripped residents of Magodo Estate, Shangisha area of Lagos over planned demolish some houses by members of a family who claimed to be the original owner of the land.
It was gathered that police stormed the phase two of Magodo estate on Tuesday evening to execute a Supreme Court judgment on behalf of the landowners.
Residents alleged that the police officers accompanied some youths who appeared to be hoodlums into the estate to start marking some houses in the area for demolition.
According to TheCable, a resident said that an inscription which reads “ID/795/88 possession taken today 21/12/2021 by court order” has been marked on over 300 houses in the estate.
Amid the police siege, many residents came out of the estate’s gate to resist what they described as a forceful takeover and attempt to demolish houses in the area.
The police invasion of the estate may be connected to the lingering court case involving the state government and members of the Shangisha Landlords Association.
Since 1982, the state government and members of the Shangisha Landlords Association have been involved in a legal battle involving plots of land in Magodo.
The supreme court, in its ruling, ordered the state government to give back members of Shangisha Landlords Association 549 plots of land before it was “fraudulently” acquired over 38 years ago.
Since the supreme court verdict, residents of the estate have been facing threats of demolition of their houses by the Shangisha Landlords Association.
In 2017, residents of the estate raised the alarm over an alleged plot by 1,000 armed men to invade the estate. They complained that landlords in Magodo were being harassed for a case they were not a party to.
As of the time of filing this report on Wednesday, residents of Magodo estate phase two were trapped in the estate as all entry and exit points of the estate had been locked.
Those planning to go to their place of work are currently stranded inside the estate as there is no human and vehicular movement allowed in and out of the estate.
A resident told TheCable that the gates of the estate were locked by the residents’ association to avoid hoodlums and bulldozers from entering to demolish houses.
Below are some reactions on Twitter.
This Magodo issue is yet another reason why I believe the Land Use Act is the most destructive piece of legislation in Nigeria's history.
— H.O.N. (@Mr_Nosegbe) December 22, 2021
this magodo situation is wild because the original land owners have every right. LASG has questions to answer.
— ✨ (@papislaay) December 22, 2021
Can’t this demolition plans in Magodo wait till after the holidays? Must they do it just 3 days to Christmas? Are they going to crush people’s homes with their families and personal belongings in there?
— A Field Marshal of the Han Dynasty⚡️ (@General_Oluchi) December 22, 2021
Current situation in magodo phase 2 we can’t all go out, mopol has taken over our gate, no one can go out no one can come in😫
This is so sad they said the whole estate has been taken over by omo onile
— DEE 💙 (@o_yindamola__) December 22, 2021
Home owners and residents of Magodo Phase 2 had almost 10 years to collaborate and negotiate with Omole Landlord Association after the supreme court verdict. Why are they acting surprised? Or am I missing something?
— FestusGreen #PeterObi (@FestusGreen) December 22, 2021
So apparently, Lagos state acquired Magodo and the real owners of the land have come back to claim their land with over 500 houses sitting on it. So now, it’s either they pay the family or the families who have bought the land. Anyways, Magodo is on lock 😂
— ayotunde ✪ (@_xxdr0) December 22, 2021
Lol. This Magodo thing is actually crazy.
Lagos state sold lands to individuals in Magodo.
The original owners of the lands that was sold took Lagos state to court and won.Now, individuals who bought and have built houses in Magodo are being asked to evacuate ASAP. 💀
— 'Durαmαn💜 (@walejobbs) December 22, 2021
The funny thing is, this magodo issue should have been sorted since 2012 like the others who won similar cases around that period..
But as usual with that estate, them dey form power..
Now they’re locking themselves in— Y.O. (@yojora) December 22, 2021
Almost half of the magodo houses have been marked for demolition, quite sad. Nigeria isn't a place really. You can imagine the mansions that have been marked. pic.twitter.com/vge2fpKayi
— Mr Wick (@JardaniJovonovv) December 22, 2021
It's saddening how you wake up one day to find that a home you lived in for years is about to be demolished due to the government's greed and a lack of empathy for their citizens. May God help the Magodo landlords this Christmas season. Say no to rapacious govt.
— Daughter of Ham (♓) (@SerenityCalm1) December 22, 2021
why is the magodo issue not on the news?
so many people are about to be homeless on a very short notice because someone else came to claim the land people have lived on for most of their lives. houses are about to get demolished and there's a protest !!— 𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒎𝒂𝒏✗ 🪬 (@_balogun_) December 22, 2021
Lagos state commissioner of police should intervene in Magodo’s case to “beg” them to allow for proper negotiation. Then, Lagos state Gov should meet the real owners for a way forward. Let them allow peaceful resolution. Magodo residents must beg now
— Woye (@woye1) December 22, 2021
Are you saying after they demolish magodo phrase 2, those landlords and tenants will move to Igando, Agbara, and the rest?
— Ọlámidé Ọmọreghà 🇳🇬 🇨🇦 (@Officialregha) December 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/TheVyralTrendz/status/1473564034125365249
Magodo security officials forcefully take in a man who tried to find his way out of the estate. #magodo #magodophase2 #SupremeCourt #happeningnow #BreakingNews #magodolockdown pic.twitter.com/fbglS41As6
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) December 22, 2021
https://twitter.com/Ambrosia_Ijebu/status/1473575609846611968
3days to Christmas, our Magodo 2 is under threat as Supreme Court judgement rules that some plots of land in the estate belongs to “Omo Onile”. We’re now locked in to prevent bulldozers from entering the estate. Interesting days ahead. #MagodoSiege
— Ayo Shonaiya (@AyoShonaiya) December 22, 2021
Landowners won case at the Supreme Court against Lagos state government. Lagos state government sold lands to current landlords in Magodo. Now the real land owners have come with Supreme Court order to get their lands back. Wahala dey Magodo.
— Golden NO 1 (@femi_golden) December 22, 2021
KanyiDaily had also reported how the Federal Government was accused of using the Nigerian army to force residents out of their homes at popular Tarkwa Bay in Lagos State.
