Magodo II residents accuse Lagos officials of aiding illegal construction, petition Sanwo-Olu

Residents of Magodo Phase II have petitioned Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, over illegal construction of buildings in a landlocked area originally classified as a gorge in the state’s master plan.

In a statement signed by Niyi Odusi, the chairman of Magodo Residents Association (MRA), the residents said the construction of the buildings in the location is a “threat to the safety of existing properties and infrastructure”.

They said the landlocked gorge “serves as a natural water collection point and is supported by vegetation and sand mass that holds the elevated part of the location”.

The residents said the nature of the location does not support the development of buildings, warning that the area is “prone to mudslides, floods and other environmental hazards”.

The residents alleged that the developers of the “illegal” buildings at the location connived with some officials of the Lagos state ministry of physical planning.

According to the residents, previous attempts to build on the landlocked location failed because of the gorge delineation of the area in the masterplan of the estate.

“Our concern is that developers aided by top officials of Lagos State Physical Planning have decided on building in the gorge and are bent on distorting the natural setting and peace of our environment at the expense of existing properly situated properties and infrastructural conveniences and thereby cause ecological distortions in an otherwise natural and stable space,” the statement reads.

“In our letter of 24th April 2025, we had intimated the ministry of physical planning and other relevant departments and agencies of Lagos state to this development.

“We expected that the relevant government agencies and departments would rise to the occasion to prevent a looming environmental disaster being perpetrated by this developer.

“Our suspicion is that there may be individuals within these agencies that are in cahoots with this developer.

“In a bid to give a sham legitimacy to a supposed demolition of an illegal structure and commence fresh development in the same area, the developer approached agencies of Lagos state government to carry out the demolition with armed security personnel.

“This obviously is to intimidate residents from asking legitimate questions regarding the dangerous activities.

“All in the name of demolishing an uncompleted building without regard to the impact on the existing structures and the fragile terrain bordering the driveway to the community.

“The process of demolition has constituted a serious health hazard to the community and has resulted in intermittent disturbances and damages to the surrounding properties.

“In pleading with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the residents listed their demands as follows: the Lagos State Government should please give a stop order on the activities in the gorge at the Green Valley Zone (Oko Filling) of the estate.

“Direct all relevant ministries and agencies to go back to the original plan for the location to confirm our position and order the developer to reinstate the natural setting of the location.

VIDEO: Magodo II residents petition Sanwo-Olu over ‘illegal’ construction in landlocked area of estate pic.twitter.com/66klvFYUFa

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“If the Lagos State Government insists on allowing such development to be made, the required drainage and road infrastructure to enable safety of life and properties of the existing property owners and residents should be provided.

“Indemnify the existing property owners and residents against any detrimental actions that may affect the safety, security, and quality of life of south-east Zone, Magodo Phase 2 residents.”