In Lagos’ busy Lekki area, a big fight over river safety has everyone talking. Hon. Tokunbo Wahab, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, shut down rumors that his team asked homeowners for money to save their houses from demolition.
Back in May, Wahab’s office marked 39 buildings in Eti-Osa as illegal because they blocked the Ikota River’s path. These homes in Oral Extension Estate, Westend Estate, and Mega Mond Estate got orders to leave. The reason? To clear the way and stop floods that could harm thousands in Lagos.
On September 26, cleanup crews moved in, tearing down duplexes and other structures. Sad videos hit social media on Tuesday, showing families losing their homes. One upset homeowner claimed officials asked for N1 billion to stop the demolition, then lowered it to N700 million.
Wahab jumped on X Sunday to set things straight. He called the story “false and malicious.” “My attention has been drawn to a circulating video containing false and malicious allegations that the Ministry demanded money from property owners to pause the ongoing removal of structures on drainage setbacks at Oral Estate, Ikota,” he said.
He was clear: “I must state categorically that these claims are entirely false and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the government. Neither I nor any official from the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has neither ever requested nor received any payment, whether ₦1 billion, ₦700 million, or a single kobo, from any property owner.”
Wahab said clearing these buildings is a “public safety imperative” to stop deadly floods in Lagos. The work won’t stop, he added. “Our work continues.”
He’s not letting the accuser off the hook. Calling the claims a “dangerous distraction,” Wahab promised to take legal action. “We take these defamatory allegations with the utmost seriousness. We shall be pursuing this matter legally, and the individual behind these claims will be required to provide proof to the appropriate authorities.”
Lagos keeps fighting its flooding problem. This story shows the tough balance between growing the city and staying safe from water. Homeowners are hurting, but officials say safety comes first. Will the courts find the truth? Let’s wait and see.
