Residents and homeowners in Hopeville Estate, located in the Sangotedo area of Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos, have found themselves in a state of confusion and helplessness as their homes are being demolished.
On Friday, March 8, 2024, security personnel, accompanied by a task force from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LABSCA), descended upon the estate with two bulldozers and other heavy machinery, for a demolition exercise that has left in ruins numerous buildings in the estate.
Speaking on the development, LABSCA asserted that prior notice of the demolition was served to the residents, citing non-approval of building plans as justification.
However, the residents claimed that the notice was insufficient, especially because there was a pending court case. They argued to be unprepared for the sudden destruction of their homes.
A visit to the estate revealed a scene of devastation, with many buildings reduced to rubble, and debris scattered across the streets.
Faced with the loss of their properties, some homeowners have resorted to selling salvaged scraps and materials to scavengers.
Furniture and household appliances were sighted lining sidewalks, a testament to the abrupt displacement experienced by the residents.
Adding to the distress, armed policemen were deployed throughout the estate, further intensifying the atmosphere of tension and unease among the affected community members.
Videos capturing residents’ grievances about what they described as a “hasty and illegal” demolition have circulated on social media platforms, drawing attention to the plight of those impacted by the actions of the state agency and law enforcement officials.
As Hopeville Estate grapples with the ongoing demolition, residents are left with uncertainty and the daunting task of rebuilding their lives.
‘This Is Just Not Acceptable’
One of those affected by the demolition stated that residents of the estate are still confused over the development.
According to the resident who claimed anonymity, the estate had issues with some persons in the past and was in the process of resolving the challenges before the recent demolition.
“So we were in that process before suddenly on Friday we saw trucks of policemen and our armed policemen and bulldozers moving to the area without any notification to anybody and began to break people’s houses and homes everywhere.
“Many people who were living in their houses were suddenly thrown out of their houses and they had to sleep right on the streets through the night between Friday and Saturday; as the rain fell, most of the people were outside when the rain was falling in the middle of the night. The demolition has continued up till this time and it’s still we are at this point. We still don’t understand who is behind this and what is going on.
“They are claiming that it is from LABSCA. Nothing has been explained to us on why LABSCA is going through this.
“Because we know even if you say people constructed without a permit, that there are processes of integrity tests that can be conducted to confirm whether the buildings are sound or not.
“And then there are penalties for people who have constructed, maybe without a permit to pay penalties to the government, and then we let their properties be in these difficult times. How can somebody, you know choose this alternative as a better alternative breaking down you can say building; nine flats? You know, there are so many people with our houses in Nigeria now, and you are trying to throw more people under the same pressure. This is just not acceptable.”
His account of the sad incident mirrors those of several others who declined to speak on camera amid the tense atmosphere and apprehension, as some of them said they were in negotiation with the authorities to save what they could.
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