Residents of Surulere Community in Amikanle, near the Command area of Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, are reeling from a wave of violent demolitions allegedly carried out by suspected landgrabbers, widely known as Omo Onile.

Homeowners say the gang, numbering about 300, stormed the community and began demanding huge sums from landlords, allegedly between N15m and N25m per property, under the guise of “renewal” fees.

Those unable to pay reportedly watched their homes and businesses reduced to rubble. At least 50 structures, including residential buildings, shops and perimeter fences, have been torn down, leaving families stranded and livelihoods destroyed.

Witnesses allege that the hoodlums arrived with purported court documents and claimed to be acting on the authority of the Federal Housing Authority, insisting that landlords must pay or lose their properties. Residents say the men operated openly for about two weeks, allegedly accompanied at times by security operatives.

One victim’s son, who identified himself as Oluwafewa, said the gang first compelled landlords to buy a “form” for N100,000 before demanding an initial N5m and a further N10m, with some households reportedly billed as high as N25m.

“They are Omo Onile and they claimed they own the estate,” he said, adding that FHA officials had disowned the operation and warned the gang to stop.

During a visit to the area, policemen were seen sitting in a corner with patrol vehicles parked nearby, while some of the alleged landgrabbers lounged in front of demolished buildings. Residents say anyone who tried to document the destruction was attacked.

One community member, who requested anonymity, recounted how a resident filming the incident was beaten and nearly had his phone smashed. Another resident said the extortion and demolitions had been recurring for years, recalling how his uncle forfeited a house a decade ago after being unable to meet a multimillion-naira demand.

In desperation, affected landlords and tenants recently staged a peaceful protest among the ruins of their homes, holding placards and appealing to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other state authorities to intervene.

An FHA official familiar with the case described the operation as outright impersonation, saying the agency neither authorised any demolition nor empowered anyone to collect money. According to the official, FHA has petitioned the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the state task force, but staff sent to the scene were chased away by the thugs.

The Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said she was initially unaware of the incident and promised to make inquiries, but subsequent calls and messages from reporters went unanswered.