Lagos Govt seals proposed Surulere Cemetery Site After Outcry From Residents

The Lagos State Government has sealed off a construction site intended for a cemetery in the Bode Thomas area of Surulere, following strong opposition from residents of the Natufe/Animashaun community who raised environmental and health concerns.

Residents staged a peaceful protest on Saturday morning—despite heavy rain—carrying placards with messages like “No Cemetery in Our Community.” They warned that the project could contaminate the area’s borehole water and pose serious public health risks. The site is located near homes, a church, and a school.

The community accused the developer, identified as Olumide Amure, of ignoring previous objections and resuming construction without regard for residents’ safety.

In response, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed that the state has sealed the site.

“The burial ground site has been sealed, and no such project will be developed there. The people need not worry,” he said in a statement on Saturday.

Community leaders say this is not the first attempt to establish a cemetery in the area. Mrs. Omolabake Braimoh, Chairperson of the Natufe/Animashaun Community Development Association (CDA), noted that residents had resisted a similar effort two years ago.

“We rely on boreholes. A cemetery here will contaminate our only water source,” she said, adding that more petitions will be sent to relevant authorities.

Former CDA Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, also confirmed the community had previously taken the matter to the state government, leading to the suspension of the same developer’s plan.

“We have documentation from the last time. I don’t believe Governor Sanwo-Olu would approve this,” he said, warning of health dangers posed by burials in a densely populated area.

As of press time, the developer, Mr. Amure, had not responded to requests for comment.

Government officials affirmed that the site will remain sealed pending further investigation and restated that cemeteries will not be permitted within residential zones.