At least six suspected land grabbers operating at Command Secondary School, Ipaja, and its axis have been arrested by the Lagos State Environmental Enforcement and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce).

On Tuesday, the agency’s spokesman, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, identified those arrested as Adekola Shoderu, 50; Gbenga Oladipupo, 47; Philip Gabriel, 40; Fatai Yusuf, 43; Ibrahim Mustapha, 38, and Olanrewaju Ifetijesu.

Mr Abdulraheem said the suspects were arrested while allegedly trying to forcefully take possession of land spanning 12 hectares belonging to the Lagos State Ministry of Housing.

He said the suspects had been known for perpetrating such criminal acts around the axis for a long time.

According to him, luck ran out on them when they allegedly tried to obtain money from the building contractors working on the site, who alerted the agency’s officials before their arrest.

“The agency has said it times without number that there is no room for land grabbers or Omo-onile in Lagos, and anyone still involved in the practice would be made to face the wrath of the law,” he said.

Mr Abdulraheem said the Lagos State Ministry of Housing was in Public Private Partnership (PPP) with Prosper Gardens Properties to build structures meant to better the lives of Lagos residents on the said land.

He said the activities of the suspects impeded the flow of work on the site due to their constant threats with harmful weapons demanding payment for the land from the contractors.

The task force spokesperson urged Lagos residents to report any suspected land-grabbing person or group to the agency directly or through social media channels.

He also urged them to desist from taking laws into their hands when suspected individuals approach them concerning their property, as two wrongs do not make a right.

“All such criminal or illegal activities should be reported to the agency or the nearest police station,” Mr Abdulraheem said, adding that the suspects would be charged to court accordingly. 

(NAN)