By Esther Onyegbula

The peaceful environment of Satellite Town in Ojo area of Lagos State was disrupted recently by hoodlums, who unleashed terror on residents.

The hoodlums, who the residents described as land grabbers, aka Omoniles, were said to have vandalised properties worth millions of Naira.

Sunday Vanguard gathered estates affected include Luke Manuel, Sandfeild Estate, Daily Times Estate, Uba Estate, Kings’ Estate, Peter Memesi Estate, Owolabi Estate, Mobil Estate, Agip Estate and New Road Estate.

According to one of the landlords in Luke Manuel Estate, Ade Ebunoluwa, the attack started as Omonile issue which saw land grabbers moving from one site to another. “But now it is beyond that as the hoodlums now terrorise residents, maiming security guards and destroying properties”, Ebunoluwa said. “Most times they come in the morning when people have gone to work and attack our relatives. We fear for our lives as the hoodlums beat and abduct our security guards”.

Another resident in Peter Memesi Estate, Nebo, said the incident was reported to the Police Division at Agboju, saying the Divisional Police Officer there said he didn’t have enough policemen to station at a particular estate.

“We have also written a petition to Lagos State Commissioner of Police. We sought the help of the civil defense corps. But these hoodlums have informants who tell them when security operatives are around”.

Speaking on the situation, a chief in the area said that Satellite Town was acquired by government several years ago but that since it didn’t use the property for the purpose of acquisition, two different families decided to take back their lands. “The case was even taken to court”, he said

“It is the parties that are in court that are using hoodlums to attack residents. The land grabbers are the ones using thugs to terrorize the community”.