We Won’t Live Like Slaves’ — Ilaje Protest Demolition Of Ancestral Homes In Lagos
August 20, 2025 | News
Hundreds of Ilaje residents in Lagos have staged a protest against the demolition of their ancestral homes, accusing some traditional rulers of acting as land grabbers and hiding under the name of President Bola Tinubu to justify the destruction.
Despite heavy rainfall, women and men under the umbrella of Egbe Omo Ilaje marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja, demanding urgent intervention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
Threat of Nude Protest:
An elderly protester, Ifagbemi, declared that Ilaje women were ready to stage a nude demonstration at the palaces of implicated monarchs if the demolitions continued.
“We are the original settlers of Lagos. If the government refuses to act, we will strip ourselves and storm the palaces of these monarchs. We want peace and justice,” she said.
Allegations Against Monarchs:
President-General of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, Rafael Irowainu, accused some monarchs of fraudulently invoking Tinubu’s name to legitimise demolitions.
He insisted the Ilaje people are indigenous settlers of Lagos, while many of the monarchs behind the demolitions originated from Osun and Ekiti states.
Heritage at Risk:
Protesters warned that demolitions without court orders would worsen insecurity, homelessness, and cultural erasure.
Prince Oluwajimusu, Lagos State Chairman of Egbe Omo Ilaje, condemned the move as a deliberate attempt to “wipe out Ilaje heritage.”
“You cannot write the history of Lagos without the Ilaje. We will not continue to live as slaves in our own land. By 2027, we will decide our political future,” he declared.
Many displaced families have called on the Lagos government to compensate affected landlords and residents, stressing that their wives and children are already suffering severe hardship.
Bottom Line: The Ilaje community insists they are founding settlers of Lagos and vow not to surrender their land rights, warning of escalated protests if demolitions continue.
#Lagos #Ilaje #LandDisputeWe Won’t Live Like Slaves’ — Ilaje Protest Demolition Of Ancestral Homes In Lagos
August 20, 2025 | News
Hundreds of Ilaje residents in Lagos have staged a protest against the demolition of their ancestral homes, accusing some traditional rulers of acting as land grabbers and hiding under the name of President Bola Tinubu to justify the destruction.
Despite heavy rainfall, women and men under the umbrella of Egbe Omo Ilaje marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja, demanding urgent intervention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.
🔹 Threat of Nude Protest:
An elderly protester, Ifagbemi, declared that Ilaje women were ready to stage a nude demonstration at the palaces of implicated monarchs if the demolitions continued.
“We are the original settlers of Lagos. If the government refuses to act, we will strip ourselves and storm the palaces of these monarchs. We want peace and justice,” she said.
🔹 Allegations Against Monarchs:
President-General of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, Rafael Irowainu, accused some monarchs of fraudulently invoking Tinubu’s name to legitimise demolitions.
He insisted the Ilaje people are indigenous settlers of Lagos, while many of the monarchs behind the demolitions originated from Osun and Ekiti states.
🔹 Heritage at Risk:
Protesters warned that demolitions without court orders would worsen insecurity, homelessness, and cultural erasure.
Prince Oluwajimusu, Lagos State Chairman of Egbe Omo Ilaje, condemned the move as a deliberate attempt to “wipe out Ilaje heritage.”
“You cannot write the history of Lagos without the Ilaje. We will not continue to live as slaves in our own land. By 2027, we will decide our political future,” he declared.
Many displaced families have called on the Lagos government to compensate affected landlords and residents, stressing that their wives and children are already suffering severe hardship.
⚖️ Bottom Line: The Ilaje community insists they are founding settlers of Lagos and vow not to surrender their land rights, warning of escalated protests if demolitions continue.
#Lagos #Ilaje #LandDispute
