Residents of Ajegunle in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Lagos State, have accused Oba Abdul Fatai Aremu Aromire Oyegbemi II, the Ojora of Ijora, of orchestrating violent property seizures, displacing over 30 landlords and 800 tenants. They allege that armed thugs, acting on the monarch’s orders, invaded homes, removed roofs, demolished houses, and harassed occupants to seize properties unlawfully.
The residents claim the invasions are tied to demands for an annual “family royalty fee” of ₦5,000 or more per property, with no proper receipts issued, leaving homeowners vulnerable to repeated eviction threats. The situation escalated in August 2025, when thugs reportedly invaded 29 houses over three days, causing destruction, injuries, trauma, and widespread displacement.
In a petition titled Petition Against Invasion of Our Houses and Destruction/Demolition with Intention to Forcefully Seize Property in Ajegunle, residents detailed years of unchecked attacks. They allege that thugs, backed by the monarch, destroy properties and force occupants to flee, enabling illegal takeovers and resale. Many victims, unable to afford repairs, face severe economic hardship, with some borrowing heavily to restore their homes.
The petitioners noted that legally acquired properties are being unjustly treated as tenancies subject to the monarch’s whims. They also accused authorities of providing tacit support, with evictions often occurring without court orders. The residents are now appealing to the Lagos State Government, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigeria Labour Congress, and the international community to intervene, hold Oba Ojora accountable, and ensure compensation for victims.
The economic strain in Ajegunle, where renting a room and parlour costs about ₦600,000 annually, has worsened due to these displacements and a lack of affordable housing. The residents’ plea to the government emphasizes stopping the illegal land-grabbing and addressing the monarch’s actions.
