NewStats: 3,264,455 , 8,183,766 topics. Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 07:30 AM 66545k

By Abdullateef Aliyu, Lagos



Anger, protest and wailings have trailed the demolition of structures allegedly standing on the right of way of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) in many parts of Lagos State.


The NRC had on Friday last week commenced the demolition exercise ahead of the commencement of the 155- kilometer Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge train project.

Managing Director of the NRC, Engr. Fidet Okhiria had last week said the NRC bulldozers would clear all "illegal" structures on the railway line, pointing out that property owners with valid documents would be compensated.

He also said owners of the affected structures had been duly notified to pack their belongings.

Not long after the MD briefed newsmen, the corporation swung into action clearing all structures blocking the rail line beginning from Yaba up to Surulere, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Iju-Ishaga, Agbado, among others.

Daily Trust observed that many structures have been pulled down on the rail line while several houses are currently marked for demolition with residents currently leaving in fears and anxiety.

The MD of Railway could not be reached yesterday as he did not pick his call neither did he reply to the text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.

However, residents and landlords are crying and wailing over the demolition, saying they were caught unawares as they were not adequately notified neither was any compensation paid to them.

Landlords and residents of Railway line in Mushin off Olateju on Monday told Daily Trust the notice given to them was very short.

Besides, they said no form of compensation had been paid to them, warning the Federal Government to thread softly with the demolition.

Spokesman of Landlords' Association, Mr. Daniel O. Daniels, explained that they thought the demolition was a rumour until the NRC brought cranes to their areas.

He said, "I will say that we were caught unawares because the notice that we were given was very short. Nobody was prepared for it and so far no compensation has been made. Everything was just like a rumour. Then it came to and we were told that this is the first batch, that they are still coming for the second batch which would affect the real houses in this area.

"No compensation has been made so far. There is no place, no landlord or any person that has been given any compensation. The notice we were given is just too short. They came on Thursday and they started demolition on Friday, less than 24 hours."

Daniels warned the NRC not to take the landlords for granted, saying they should follow due process in carrying out their demolition.

"We are telling them to go through the normal process. Those that have valid documents should be duly compensated and probably those that don't have because Obasanjo did it when he was constructing Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. He compensated those that had documents and those that didn't have.

Are they saying those that have built houses now should become tenants or should go and be sleeping under bridge?"

Chief Imam of Sadiku Oloro Central Mosque which is likely to be affected by the demolition said most of the landlords in the area are widows and pensioners who are already living from hand to mouth, saying pulling down their property would exacerbate their precarious situation.

Also speaking, Alhaji Abdullateef Adegboyega said he has been living in the area for the past 50 years, pleading with the NRC to settle them before embarking on any demolition. He said his building marked for demolition had valid documents which he offered to hand over to our correspondent.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/anger-as-nrc-pulls-down-illegal-structures-over-lagos-ibadan-fast-train/193939.html

Observing..........


Before buying a plot of Land always make enquires at the office of Land & Survey or Urban development board to avoid stories that touch

dey should vacate peacefully nah.........DIS COUNTRY SEF they always like government to use force on them

The truth is both the government and the followers are all in a state of anarchy

We don't know what is right from what is wrong

Pmb is trying to bring us back to order

But enemies of states are trying to frustrate him

GodProtectIgbox:

sarrki:
The truth is both the government and the followers are all in a state of anarchy

We don't know what is right from what is wrong

Pmb is trying to bring us back to order

But enemies of states are trying to frustrate him

u sef



dey dey put kai kai for ur head sometimes



u are among the enemy of Nigeria Emir of kano dey talk about

When explorers created a thread where Japan built a railway through a highrise building, I vividly I was the first to comment telling if it were in Nigeria, the government would first of all demolish...


Now look at it...

Atiku2019:
Observing

My brother

What are you observing now?

GodProtectIgbox:









u sef



dey dey put kai kai for ur head sometimes



u are among the enemy of Nigeria Emir of kano dey talk about

Pray for Mr president

He will take us to the promise land

sarrki:



Pray for Mr president

He will take us to the promise land

i am with u



but PMB should endeavor to carry every one along....that is the beauty of Democracy,



there is no strong head in governance

GodProtectIgbox:



i am with u



but PMB should endeavor to carry every one along....that is the beauty of Democracy,



there is no strong head in governance

I totally agree with you sis

sarrki:


I totally agree with you sis

thanks for ur understanding

Pull down the structures jor

zebra crossing

I still dont understand why anyone would build houses and shops on a rail line in the first place; same way people will insist on building houses near/on rivers and under high tension pole despite government warnings,later when disaster occurs,they begin accusing the government of negligence.Sometimes,the citizens need to respect themselves.

Nigerian people will be wrong on something, dem go dey form "Anger" again, when government tries to do the right thing.
Expect more illegal and ill-located structures to go , as the Lagos-Ibadan railway takes shape.

Atiku2019:
Observing

Instead of pointless, unproductive anger upandan, they should get a lawyer who will take on their case for free and collect a share of the compensation to be awarded to them.

But when someone was spending pension money to buy land in this area...una no talk o

Is Nigeria truly a country?

Those that ride on the back of the Tigger would end up in its belly! Apc Lagos are you ready for chanji??

GodProtectIgbox:







dey should vacate peacefully nah.........DIS COUNTRY SEF they always like the government to use of force on them

Did you think, everybody has money to pack so easily?

So?

Some dolts actually think moving people from a settlement is so easy.

This government from the state to now federal is on a demolition spree without any compensation to alleviate the already killing condition they are making people through. How insensitive can a government be?

who dey vex dem




recession?

sarrki:



Pray for Mr president

He will take us to the promise land

Wake up. No one in Nigeria can.

sarrki:

My brother
What are you observing now?

Lol Situation Reports....
Any news about the Osborne cash?

where i fit see girl give belle?

One of handiwork of GEJ



Buhari is still riding on the pace GEJ set for him

this fast train will render a lot homeless

This is good.