6th February, 2025
By Deborah Akpede
Twelve suspected land grabbers, who have been terrorising occupants of NERDC Road in the Ikeja area of Lagos have been arrested by operatives of the State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce).
CSP. Adetayo Akerele, the Chairman of the TaskForce announced the arrest of the suspected notorious land grabbers in a statement signed by the agency’s Director, Press and Public Affairs, Mr Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, on Thursday in Lagos.
Akerele said that the taskforce arrested the suspects through intelligence reports from members of the public.
“The suspects were arrested following credible intelligence that they were obstructing lawful occupants from carrying out their legitimate activities.
“Reports also indicated that they assaulted one Mr Ashafa of Prestige Hotel, Ikeja, and arrived at the scene armed with dangerous weapons.
“Part of the agency’s mandate is to prevent and completely halt the activities of land grabbers.
“Their activities, if not checked, could lead to disruption of developmental activities and rip Lagos residents of their hard-earned money, ” he said.
The chairman sounded a note of warning to all unscrupulous individuals still engaged in the practice of land grabbing.
“The agency will not sit back and watch Lagosians get cheated out of their landed property or structure,” he said.
Akerele said that the suspects were charged to court, where they pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
“They were granted bail in the sum of N500,000 each, with two sureties per suspect.
“One of the sureties must be a civil servant not below Level 14, while the second must either be a relation, a clergy, or a community leader.
“The court has adjourned the case till March 26, for further proceedings,” he said.
Akerele promised that the Lagos State Taskforce remained committed to ensuring law and order, and would not tolerate any form of intimidation, violence, or land grabbing within the state.
He encouraged residents to report any unlawful activities to the appropriate authorities. (NAN)
