₦airaland Forum

Festac Tragedy: FHA, Task Force Demolish ₦1bn Mansion, 15 Others — Residents Cry Foul


A Lagos-based civil engineer, Mr. McDonald Okwor, has expressed shock and grief over the demolition of his ₦1 billion mansion by officials of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) and operatives of the Lagos State Task Force at 6th Avenue, FESTAC Town, last Saturday, describing the incident as the “total destruction of years of sweat and dreams.”

Okwor, 48, alleged that FHA officials, policemen attached to the Task Force, and hired thugs stormed his residence at Plot 1892, Route 65, Caravan Estate, with bulldozers while his wife and family members were still inside the house.

‘They demolished my home while my wife was inside’

Recounting his ordeal, Okwor said he legally purchased the land from the Kuje family in 2016 after a Federal High Court judgment recognized the family as rightful owners of the area. However, the dispute resurfaced when another claimant, a lawyer (name withheld), insisted the same plot was allocated to him by the FHA.

> “The month we moved in, some men led by one Barrister Ferdinand Obiora invaded my property, vandalized the gate, and arrested my workers. The police invited me to the FESTAC Station where the man claimed to be the original allottee from FHA,” he said.



He added that despite a pending appeal at the Lagos High Court, which ordered all parties to maintain the status quo, FHA officials still went ahead with the demolition.

> “On Saturday morning, my neighbors called me to rush home — FHA had brought a bulldozer. Before I arrived, they had already torn the building into two. My wife was inside, but they ignored pleas to stop. My furniture, electronics, machines, documents, and passports were buried in the rubble,” he lamented.


Okwor further alleged that he, his wife, and brother were beaten and arrested the next day while trying to salvage some belongings.

> “They threw us into a Black Maria and detained us at the Task Force cell in Oshodi. They forced me to sign an undertaking not to return to the site,” he claimed.



Over 15 structures reduced to rubble

When Vonnews reporters visited the area on Tuesday, more than 15 buildings, including shops and residential apartments, had been flattened. Bulldozers bearing Lagos State Government insignia were still at work, while displaced traders displayed their wares beside the debris.

Some officials at the site claimed the affected buildings encroached on road setbacks, but residents argued otherwise, insisting their structures were built behind drainage channels and had visible setbacks.

A visibly disturbed trader said:

> “We were not given any notice. How can you demolish people’s shops without warning? Everything we own is gone.”



Residents fault selective demolition

A resident, Mr. Paul Nwosu, a former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, described the exercise as “inhuman and unfair,” alleging selective demolition.

> “If you look closely, these buildings align with others. How can they say they encroached? Even if there were permit issues, they should have asked owners to regularize. Knocking down people’s investments without notice is wickedness,” he said.



Task Force, Lagos Govt react

In a swift response, the Lagos State Task Force denied arresting Okwor’s family unjustly, insisting those detained attacked officials with stones and dangerous objects during the operation.

The agency’s chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele, through the Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, said:

> “Some individuals tried to obstruct lawful demolition of structures encroaching on FHA property. They even attempted to bribe officials. We will not tolerate attacks on enforcement officers.”



Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, distanced the state government from the demolition, saying the FHA did not obtain clearance from his ministry.

> “The Lagos State Government had no hand in this. Our process requires notice and engagement with affected persons. Any demolition done without proper authorization does not represent this administration,” he clarified.



Efforts to reach FHA officials for comments were unsuccessful. However, some of its concessionaires, who spoke off record, claimed that the demolished properties were not allocated by the agency, challenging owners to produce their documents.

More demolitions expected

As of Tuesday evening, demolition activities were still ongoing along 6th Avenue and adjoining routes in FESTAC Town.
Residents appealed to the Federal Government and the Minister of Housing to intervene, accusing the FHA of flouting court orders and destroying people’s homes without due process.



@Vonnews
Loveline Agbonifo

“The month we moved in, some men led by one Barrister Ferdinand Obiora invaded my property, vandalized the gate, and arrested my workers. The police invited me to the FESTAC Station where the man claimed to be the original allottee from FHA,” Mr Ejiofor said.

So it is Mr Obiora whodemolished the house built by Mr Ejiofor, not LASG that you have been accusing wrongly. Smh

Sanwo Olu and the Yorubas will pay for all these at due time

One billion ko....The way this people mention billions ehh

#1b house I don't understand.

Do angels Sleep there when they visit earth 🌎?

Lagos is indirectly telling igbos to go back to their father land and if this happens, the economy in Lagos will suffer a huge setback.

Hian demolition in Lagos state ? Food don land for Eze finishing of agulu village be that

Nawao

The way demolition is going on in Lagos and Abuja is uncalled for. It signals that real estate investment in those areas is endangered.

AfahaAbia:
One billion ko....The way this people mention billions ehh

But when your beloved APC RoNu government mentions billions for renovations of same house your ears won't stand up erect oh

Na when igbo man mention am e turn haram for your ear 🤗

Mrfixitt:
Sanwo Olu and the Yorubas will pay for all these at due time

The highest you can do is not vote for tinubu and other Apc candidates in south West, you can't wage a war

hakeemhakeem:
The highest you can do is not vote for tinubu and other Apc candidates in south West, you can't wage a war

Myopic people like you don't know that the future holds a lot that's why you act without thinking properly.

Mrfixitt:
Myopic people like you don't know that the future holds a lot that's why you act without thinking properly.

Between you and I who had a good thought ,quick to give threats when things doesn't go your way.you guys can do nothing

Mrfixitt:
Sanwo Olu and the Yorubas will pay for all these at due time

Is it SanwoOlu and Ndi Yoruba that are in charge of FHA that did the demolition?

Same FHA whose MD is the husband of the Iyaloja nuisance.

Now they control both state and federal, so they can poo in the church and dance naked in the market with impunity.

But they will surely pay back, with exorbitant interest, when tomorrow comes. And come it must.