“We will Go Naked”: Lagos Women Threaten Protest Over Demolition

Women from the Ilaje Community in Lagos State have vowed to stage a nude protest over the alleged demolition of their ancestral homes, which they claim is being masterminded by some traditional rulers. The protesters, under the aegis of Egbe Omo Ilaje, stormed the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja, on Tuesday August 19, 2024, demanding urgent intervention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

The protest was attended by hundreds of women, who marched to the Assembly Complex despite heavy rainfall. They carried placards accusing some traditional rulers of turning into “land grabbers” and exploiting the name of President Bola Tinubu to justify unlawful demolitions. The protesters claim that these monarchs are not even indigenes of Lagos but hail from Osun and Ekiti states.

Key Demands
The protesters are seeking:

• An immediate halt to the demolition of their ancestral homes
• An investigation into the role of traditional rulers in the crisis
• Compensation for families whose homes and properties were destroyed

An elderly protester, Ifagbemi, warned that the women would stage a nude demonstration at the palaces of the monarchs involved if the Government fails to take decisive action. “We are the founders of Lagos. We hailed from Ilaje before settling in Ebute-Ero, which was then known as Olobun,” she declared.

The women accused some traditional rulers of oppressing them due to political advantage. Rafael Irowainu, President-General of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, alleged that these monarchs are using President Tinubu’s name to carry out fraudulent activities. “None of these monarchs created Lagos. They suppress us because of their political advantage,” he said.

The protesters are urging Governor Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Obasa to intervene in the crisis and protect the rights of the Ilaje community. They warned that the Government’s inaction would only worsen insecurity in the state.

As the protest continues, it remains to be seen how the Government will respond to the demands of the Ilaje Community. Will they take decisive action to address the grievances of the protesters, or will the situation escalate further? One thing is certain: the women of Ilaje will not be silenced.