The Lagos State Environmental and Enforcement and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has dislodged a notorious land grabbing syndicate known for causing mayhem and disrupting developmental activities in Ibeju-Lekki axis of the state. Chairman of the agency, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Shola Jejeloye, who led the team, at the weekend, disclosed that the crime syndicate is known for terrorising legitimate property owners and occupants within Sango-Tedo, Lakowe, Abijo and the entire environs of Ibeju Lekki.

He said “Omo-Onile have been warned on several occasion by the state government to desist from carrying out their inhumane acts, but this warning has fallen on deaf ears, as they continue to cause chaos in that axis, thus, the need to round them all up arose. “Residents and victims of these land grabbers made complaints to the Task force which made us carry out our own investigation, leading to warnings being issued to them. It is quite unfortunate that they feel untouchable and daring, but with these actions carried out by us, they will learn to obey the laws of the state. There is no room for land grabbers in Lagos,” Jejeloye stated. Jejeloye further said that his officers encountered some resistance from the land grabbers during the operation, where some of the members of the syndicate shot at them sporadically to dissuade them from carrying on, but it was no match for the determination of the officers of the agency, who were all out to correct the wrongs being perpetrated by the land grabbers. “It was quite appalling that even women were amongst the individuals arrested,” she said. The guns, charms and harmful weapons, which they use to intimidate their victims were recovered from them. “They will be made to face the full wrath of the law. We will ensure that anyone found engaging in such a nefarious practice anywhere in the state is arrested and prosecuted,” he added. The chairman urged Lagosians to resist paying land grabbers any form of money for properties, which they legitimately purchased and report any incident or activities by the land grabbers to the task force.

Jejeloye vowed to go after all other perpetrators within the state. The five suspects have been charged to court and remanded in Badagry Correctional Centre.