Members of an Igbo socio-political group, Ndigbo Buru’Otu Association, has raised the alarm over the indiscriminate demolition of houses carried out by officials of Federal Housing Authority in Ijeododo Community, Ijegun area of Lagos State.
They stated that they were shocked over the demolition of their property, last Thursday, by the authority and described the exercise as “heart-wrenching”.
Addressing pressmen over the demolition, the Chairman of the Association Eze Chika Nwokedi said: “Our people are angry because they bought lands worth over a billion naira, erected structures and built houses with their hard earned money only to wake one morning and watch it being demolished.”
He explained that over 500 members contributed to purchase the vast acres of land since 2017.
According to him, we followed due process in acquiring the land from the Baale. “There was proper documentation and family receipts were issued to everyone who bought from the right source verified by FHA. No prior notice was given by FHA nor did the Baale who sold the land to us inform us about any notice of demolition.”
Lamenting Nwokedi asked, “Is it now a crime to buy land from the king of a community?
I am pained because Igbos within and outside my jurisdiction of leadership approached me to verify a genuine land as their leader and I led them through the appropriate source ‘the Baale’ who in turn issued family receipt only to find out later that the land is not genuinely owned by the ruling family but FHA”.
“When I asked those carrying out the demolition, they confirmed a notice has been passed since 2022 and they must carry on with the assignment. Right now, FHA is working on the land and has claimed it.”
Reacting to the complaints of members of the association in his palace, the Baale of Ijeododo, Chief Abu-Jelili Ododo, and his executives denied involvement and knowledge of the demolition.
He said: “One Mr. Lawal, who is a FHA Surveyor, accompanied by some people, visited my palace, claiming their land is extended to some areas in Ijeododo. After several meetings, FHA representatives said houses marked won’t be demolished but those unmarked are on the roads or blocking a canal.”
