Eti-Osa Residents Raise Concern Over Alleged Tension Along Lagos Coastal Road

Kehinde Adeleye

Residents and stakeholders in parts of Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos have raised concerns over an alleged dispute between Federal Government officials and officials of the Lagos State Government over the control and protection of landed properties along portions of the Lagos Coastal Road.

The residents’ concern followed allegations that Lagos State officials and security personnel moved to some locations where a Federal Government Task Force was reportedly carrying out activities relating to the recovery and protection of Federal landed properties and enforcement of the approved coastal highway setback.

The allegations were contained in a statement dated September 10, 2026, issued by Ismaila Alimi, a concerned citizen of Eti-Osa.

Alimi alleged that the development had created tension around locations including Kuramo in Victoria Island, Mayegun Coastal Road and Ilasan, with concerns that the disagreement could escalate if not properly managed.

He alleged that on September 4, Lagos State officials, accompanied by a substantial police contingent, visited some of the affected locations where members of the Federal Task Force were operating.

According to him, the officials included CSP Shola Jejeloye of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad, CSP Tayo Akerele of the Lagos State Task Force, Dr Jide Abiodun, Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Development, and Bldr. Omolola Florence Gbaye of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, among others.

Alimi further alleged that the officials were looking for the Head of the Federal Task Force, identified as Mr Boomelin, in what he described as an attempt to arrest or intimidate him.

He also alleged that personnel attached to the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation were subjected to threats during the encounter.

The concerned citizen claimed that the officials returned to some of the locations on September 7 and allegedly entered portions of the disputed land and erected real estate billboards despite the presence of the Federal Task Force and its security arrangements.

The allegations have raised questions among residents about the status of the affected properties and the authority of the various government agencies operating in the area.

Alimi said the issue should not be allowed to degenerate into a confrontation between the Federal Government and Lagos State, particularly because residents and property owners in the affected communities could be caught in the middle.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure that the matter is resolved through proper verification and dialogue.

According to him, the Federal Government’s intervention in the affected areas was reportedly linked to concerns over alleged encroachment, unauthorised allocations, questionable documentation, multiple claims of title, fraudulent transactions, land grabbing and the management of government assets.

He argued that where irregularities are suspected, the appropriate response should be investigation and verification by the relevant authorities rather than confrontation.

Alimi also questioned alleged claims attributed to a senior Lagos State official that the Federal Government had no land in Lagos State and that Federal land was vested in the governor.

He said such a position, if accurately reported, should be clarified by the relevant authorities.

He asked who authorised the deployment of armed police personnel to properties said to be under Federal protection and who authorised the alleged attempt to arrest or intimidate Federal Task Force personnel.

He also called for clarification over the alleged forcible entry into some of the properties and the erection of advertisements on land said to be subject to Federal Government protection.

Alimi urged the Lagos State Government and the Federal Government to prioritise the interests of residents and stakeholders by avoiding actions that could heighten tension in the affected communities.

He called for the withdrawal of any Lagos State security personnel allegedly deployed to the disputed Federal properties, protection for Federal Task Force personnel and officials attached to the Surveyor-General of the Federation, and a halt to further construction, development, occupation, demolition or advertisement on the affected properties pending proper verification.

He also urged the Surveyor-General of the Federation to undertake comprehensive verification and demarcation of the affected properties and coastal highway reservations.

“Lagos State is an integral part of Nigeria, but it is not a separate republic.

“The Lagos State Government is meant to work together with the Federal Government within the limits of their respective constitutional and statutory powers,” he said.

Alimi stressed that his intervention was not intended to promote confrontation with the Lagos State Government but to demand accountability and respect for constitutional authority.

He appealed to residents and other stakeholders to remain calm while the relevant authorities investigate the allegations and work towards resolving the dispute.