A coalition of civil society organizations and foreign investors staged a peaceful demonstration on Wednesday at the Lagos liaison office of the Federal Ministry of Works, calling for the immediate release of Mr. Ola Obanla, a site worker allegedly arrested by military personnel.
Operating under the banner of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations and Foreign Investors of Nigeria, the group also demanded fair compensation for residents and investors affected by recent demolitions in the Okun-Ajah area of Lagos State. The demolitions are part of preparations for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.
According to demonstrators, Obanla a worker with the property development firm WinHomes was apprehended by soldiers during a tense standoff over the clearing of land in Okun-Ajah. Witnesses say he was taken without explanation and has not been seen or heard from since his arrest.
The protest saw scores of demonstrators marching from Tafawa Balewa Square to the Ministry of Works liaison office, carrying placards with messages such as: “Free Obanla, a site worker at WinHomes,” “Today it’s WinHomes, tomorrow it could be your land,” and “President Tinubu, we speak not as critics but as victims of impunity, stripped of justice in our own investment.”
Another placard read “Withdraw soldiers from Umahi,” a direct reference to Minister of Works David Umahi, whom protesters accused of inflaming tensions in the area.
Speaking to the crowd, Coalition Coordinator Mr. Shina Loromikan alleged that Obanla’s arrest was directly ordered by the Minister of Works himself following a visit to the disputed project site.
“The minister came to inspect the coastal road and met with local residents. During the exchange, he was apparently offended by the way Mr. Obanla spoke to him, and he instructed soldiers who accompanied him to detain him,” Loromikan claimed.
“He was taken away on the spot. Since then, no one has seen him. Not even his family knows where he is. We’ve checked multiple police stations, including the Lagos State Command, and they all deny having him in custody.”
Loromikan described the situation as a blatant case of illegal detention, emphasizing that Nigerian law requires any detainee to be charged in court within 24 to 48 hours.
“If the minister does not do the right thing, we will not stop protesting. This is a clear abuse of power,” he said.
He also revealed that a parallel protest was being held in Abuja on the same day to amplify their demands and warned that nationwide demonstrations would continue until Obanla is released.
Beyond the call for Obanla’s freedom, the coalition condemned what they called an unfair and opaque approach to land acquisition for the coastal highway project.
“These demolitions were done with little or no meaningful consultation. Many affected property owners were offered paltry compensation, which is an insult to their investment. We are seeing real oppression here,” Loromikan added, noting that many of the demolished properties belonged to Nigerians in the diaspora who had invested heavily in the area.
The protesters submitted a formal petition to the Minister of Works, listing several demands, including:
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The unconditional release of Mr. Ola Obanla.
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Fair and adequate compensation for all affected residents and investors.
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An end to arbitrary demolitions without due consultation.
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Restoration of the original alignment of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, in line with prior approved plans.
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A commitment to execute the highway project transparently, free of bribery, corruption, or abuse of power.
The coalition urged the Federal Government to engage in open dialogue with all stakeholders to resolve the escalating conflict peacefully and equitably.
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