EKO NEWS

Banana Island Sealed Off: Traffic Chaos as Demolition Looms

Published

2 weeks ago

Apr 9, 2025.

Banana Island on Lockdown: Entry and exit gates shut by unidentified government agents, sparking confusion and paralyzing traffic across Lekki-Ajah and Ikoyi.
Lagos Authorities Deny Role: LASBCA and Lagos State Taskforce distance themselves from the operation, stating no official demolition activity was approved.
Federal Oversight Suspected: Incident follows Minister Dangiwa’s recent warning on enforcement of housing laws and ground rent compliance in high-end Lagos esta

Just a week after the Independence Bridge closure incident, another traffic chaos erupted on Tuesday as entry and exit gates of Banana Island in Ikoyi, Lagos, were sealed off by government agents.

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The unexpected closure triggered a major gridlock across the Lekki-Ajah axis, Park View Estate, Foreshore, and parts of Ikoyi, leaving motorists stranded for hours. Both residents and visitors were denied access in and out of the upscale estate.

Reports suggest the lockdown was connected to a planned demolition of the Banana Island Club House. A viral video showed commuters stuck, while unidentified men were seen guarding the estate’s gate.

However, conflicting information emerged regarding which level of government was behind the operation. Some witnesses pointed fingers at federal agencies, while others blamed the Lagos State government.

The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) denied any involvement. LASBCA’s Public Affairs Officer, Adu Ademuyiwa, stated:
“It is not true. Our men are not there. We have not stopped any residents or visitors from accessing Banana Island. When the time comes for demolition of illegal structures in the area, the public will be duly informed.”

He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to enforcing urban planning laws, citing illegal buildings under high-tension power lines and in restricted shoreline zones as targets for demolition.

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Similarly, the Lagos State Taskforce also denied participation. The agency’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, clarified:

“The agency did not carry out any operation at Banana Island today. We only support other agencies during enforcement, but our men were not involved in any activity in that area.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, recently emphasized the need for owners of federal lands and properties in Lagos to pay their ground rent. During a stakeholder engagement and inspection tour of Banana Island, Osborne Phase One and Two, Park View, and Foreshore estates, Dangiwa stressed the importance of upholding land use regulations and proper asset management.

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