Residents of Ogombo in Eti Osa Local Government have thwarted efforts by officials of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to demolish some illegal structures in their areas.

Youths and elders dared the government to carry out the order and face their wrath.

The LASBCA team was made up of its Enforcement Unit and a Police Taskforce.

Indigenes claimed they were defending owners of the properties against government’s hostile attitude.

One of them, who refused to be named, wondered why the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration would turn against them so soon.

Majority Leader in the House of Assembly, Noheem Adams, an indigene, had reportedly made efforts to stop the demolition.

He was seen discussing with officials of Lagos State and the agency to settle the matter.

Earlier, General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, affirmed that the affected land, had been earmarked for government housing programme.

He regretted omolile (land sellers) encroached on it and parcelled it off to the unsuspecting public.

Justifying his efforts, he said he had served notices on buyers for between five and 10 years to enable them verify their documents, if any.

He said none came out, suggesting they do not have or had fake ones. Still the agency also tried in vain to reach the illegal property owners, he added.

“We have to stop it. The omolile are not bigger than the state or the people. Many have no building plans and permits.

“Henceforth, any property without a certificate of occupancy (C of O) or permit will have to go. It is not compulsory for you to live in an area when you cannot afford it.”

Oki advised land buyers to do due diligence themselves instead of relying on third parties, many of who end up generating fake documents for them.

He added: “Lagos State has one of the best land archives in the country.

And it doesn’t cost anything to check the status of the land.” (The Nation)

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