By Peterside Rejoice Eneky
The Lagos State Government has sealed off a cemetery construction site located in a residential area of the Bode Thomas axis in Surulere, following protests by residents of the Natufe/Animashaun community who described the project as illegal and dangerous to public health.
The action was prompted by a Saturday protest during which residents braved heavy rains to voice their opposition to the development. Armed with placards and chanting “No Cemetery,” they marched to the site, which is situated just meters from homes, schools, churches, and the Bode Thomas traffic light junction.
The community alleged that the developer, identified as Olumide Amure, resumed work on the site without government approval, despite having been stopped a few years ago for attempting the same project.
“We heard he wants to build an adult cemetery here and one for children three blocks away,” said Alhaja Omolabake Aminat Braimoh, Chairperson of the Natufe/Animashaun Community Development Association (CDA). “We have children and elderly people here. We rely on borehole water. A cemetery will pollute our land and water. We say no.”
Braimoh revealed that the CDA had already written letters to the Chairman of Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area (LCDA) and vowed to continue using legal channels to resist the development.
Speaking with reporters, former CDA Chairman Mr. Olarenwaju Olaniyan recalled how the community had halted the same developer during his tenure. “We wrote 11 petitions then. We will do it again,” he said. “We won’t allow an epidemic here. We’ve lived here peacefully for decades.”
In response to the outcry, Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, confirmed that the site has been sealed and assured residents the cemetery project would not proceed.
“The burial ground site is sealed and no such project will be developed there,” Omotoso said. “The people need not worry.”
The councilor representing the Natufe/Animashaun Ward also said no approval had been granted for a cemetery in the area, adding that he would escalate the community’s complaint to the appropriate authorities.
When contacted by the press on Saturday, the developer requested more time to respond but failed to provide any comment before press time.
The community, meanwhile, has pledged to remain watchful and mobilized until the land is officially cleared of any future cemetery plans.
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