Ilaje Women Threaten Nude Protest Over Ancestral Home Demolitions in Lagos

Women from the Ilaje community in Lagos State have issued a strong warning to state authorities, threatening to stage nude protests over what they describe as the continued destruction of their ancestral homes.

On Tuesday, despite heavy rainfall, hundreds of protesters under the banner of Egbe Omo Ilaje marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, Ikeja. They called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to urgently intervene in the alleged unlawful demolitions carried out in their communities.

Carrying placards, the protesters accused certain traditional rulers of acting as land grabbers and orchestrating the demolition of Ilaje settlements.

One of the elderly demonstrators, who identified herself as Ifagbemi, declared that the women are ready to take their protest to the palaces of the implicated monarchs—stripping naked if necessary.

“We are the original settlers of Lagos. Our ancestors moved from Ilaje to Ebute-Ero, which was originally called Olobun. If the government does not meet our demands, we will strip ourselves and storm the palaces of these monarchs. We want peace, and we want justice,” she stated.

Rafael Irowainu, President-General of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide, accused some monarchs of using President Bola Tinubu’s name to justify illegal land seizures and demolitions.

“Some royal fathers have abandoned justice and become land grabbers. They falsely claim President Tinubu sent them—we know that is not true. Their actions are fraudulent and unlawful,” he said.

He further alleged that some of the monarchs involved in the crisis are not even native to Lagos, but from Osun and Ekiti states.

“These kings didn’t build Lagos. Yet they use political influence to oppress us. How can homes be demolished without court orders? We are Yorubas, we are the original settlers. These actions only fuel insecurity and homelessness,” Irowainu said, demanding compensation for affected families.

Another protester, Wole Adewusi, lamented the widespread displacement of Ilaje families. “Our wives and children are suffering. Many landlords have lost everything. We’re pleading with Governor Sanwo-Olu to save us from these so-called Obas who have become land grabbers.”

Lagos State Chairman of Egbe Omo Ilaje, Prince Oluwajimusu, echoed the sentiment, accusing certain groups of attempting to erase Ilaje history.

“You cannot talk about Lagos history without recognizing the Ilaje as original settlers. What is happening to us is unjust. We won’t continue to live like strangers in our own land. By 2027, we will decide our political direction,” he warned.