Ilaje Women Threaten Nude Protest as Ancestral Homes in Lagos Face Demolition

Ilaje women in Lagos have vowed to stage a nude protest following the demolition of their ancestral homes, accusing some traditional rulers of orchestrating the destruction.

The women claim that certain monarchs have invoked President Bola Tinubu’s name to justify the unlawful demolitions.

Despite heavy rainfall on Tuesday, hundreds of protesters under the banner of Egbe Omo Ilaje marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja, demanding urgent intervention from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

Carrying placards, the protesters accused some traditional rulers of acting as “land grabbers” and targeting Ilaje communities. Elderly protester Ifagbemi warned, “We are the original settlers of Lagos. If the government refuses to act, we will strip ourselves and storm the palaces of these monarchs. We want peace, and we want justice.”

Rafael Irowainu, President-General of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, alleged that some monarchs instigating the crisis are not Lagos natives but from Osun and Ekiti states. “They falsely claim President Tinubu sent them, but we know he did not. These actions are fraudulent and lawless,” he said, calling for compensation for affected families.

Another protester, Wole Adewusi, lamented the loss of homes and properties, urging Governor Sanwo-Olu to intervene. Prince Oluwajimusu, Lagos State Chairman of Egbe Omo Ilaje, condemned what he called a deliberate attempt to erase Ilaje heritage.

“You cannot write the history of Lagos without mentioning Ilaje as one of the first settlers. We will not continue to live as slaves in our own land,” he said, vowing to determine their political future by 2027.

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