A foremost socio-cultural organisation of the Ibibio ethnic nationality, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio, has condemned the demolition and forceful takeover of its Lagos property by the Lagos Metropolitan Space Transport Authority (LAMATA), describing it as a grave injustice and “an insult to heritage.”
The group rejected the Lagos State Authorities’s provide of N11 million as compensation for the property, which it mentioned was valued at over N250 million greater than a decade in the past, demanding as an alternative a substitute property of equal or better worth.
The property, based on the group, is situated at Rufai Shut, off Rufai Avenue, Ojuelegba, Surulere, and covers 758.136 sq. metres and was duly documented underneath Title No. M07300 on the Lagos State Lands Registry.
It served because the Lagos Secretariat and Neighborhood Centre of Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio for a number of many years, internet hosting conferences, cultural celebrations, and charitable programmes that strengthened unity amongst Akwa Ibom and Ibibio folks residing within the state.
In an announcement issued in Uyo and signed by the organisation’s President, James Edet, the group described the demolition as “one of many darkest and most distressing moments within the historical past of the Ibibio Nation”.
“This isn’t only a demolition; it’s a desecration of our collective id,” the group declared. “To supply N11 million for a property valued at N250 million fifteen years in the past is a profound insult — not simply to our organisation, however to each Nigerian who believes in equity and justice.”
The group accused the Lagos authorities of finishing up the demolition with out concluding negotiations or reaching any formal settlement, regardless of its efforts to hunt an amicable decision. It additional alleged that the motion was influenced by the prime worth of the property’s location and by what it termed “ethnic prejudice in opposition to a non-indigenous organisation.”
“We encountered persistent resistance, seemingly pushed by ethnic bias,” the assertion continued. “It’s painfully evident that this motion was carried out just because the property belongs to a non-indigenous group. Such conduct undermines nationwide unity and violates the rules of justice and brotherhood that bind us as Nigerians.”
Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio mentioned the property, acquired by communal effort and many years of sacrifice, symbolised the Ibibio folks’s unity and contribution to Lagos’ social and cultural life. Its destruction, the group mentioned, was an emotional blow that went far past monetary loss.
“What has been demolished and seized from us just isn’t merely a constructing however the dwelling embodiment of our folks’s historical past, satisfaction, and enduring presence in Lagos,” the assertion mentioned. “The provide of N11 million can not even rebuild the gate of that property, a lot much less restore what it represented to generations of our folks.”
The group referred to as on Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to urgently intervene and guarantee justice by offering a substitute property of equal or better worth. It additionally appealed to Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, civil rights organisations, and Nigerians of conscience to talk in opposition to what it described as “a harmful act of dispossession.”
“We’re not searching for monetary compensation; we’re demanding justice and restoration,” the assertion emphasised. “We attraction to the Lagos State Authorities to right away present a substitute property that restores the dignity of our folks and preserves the proud legacy of our organisation.”
The group additionally expressed disappointment that whereas different ethnic nationalities stay peacefully and personal property freely in Akwa Ibom State and throughout Ibibioland, Ibibios in Lagos are being denied the identical courtesy.
“It’s ironic that whereas our Yoruba brothers and sisters stay peacefully and revel in safety in our homeland, the identical courtesy has been denied us in Lagos,” the group mentioned. “No folks must be made to really feel like strangers in their very own nation.”
Describing the demolition as provocative and unjust, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio warned that such actions, if unchecked, might sow the seeds of ethnic resentment and erode belief amongst Nigeria’s various communities.
“This injustice is able to breeding resentment and avoidable battle,” the group warned. “However let it’s identified: the spirit of the Ibibio can’t be demolished, displaced, or silenced. Our unity, satisfaction, and heritage stay indestructible,” the group mentioned.
Demolition executed after settlement – Lagos Authorities
The Lagos State Authorities has defended its acquisition and demolition of the Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio Secretariat in Ojuelegba, stating that the motion was lawful and carried out within the public curiosity to assist the continuing High quality Bus Hall (QBC) Venture.
In an announcement despatched to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, the company’s Head of Company Communications, Kolawole Ojelabi, said that the state authorities’s resolution was a part of a long-term technique to create a world-class and sustainable transport system, noting that Ojuelegba is a significant transit hub that requires improved public mobility infrastructure.
He clarified that the acquisition course of started in December 2024 and the property’s title was revoked based mostly on “overriding public curiosity, as supplied for underneath extant legal guidelines.” The company insisted that a number of engagements have been held with leaders of the Ibibio organisation.
Based on the assertion, at a gathering on 22 October 2025, each events agreed the acquisition would proceed and appointed impartial valuers to harmonise compensation figures. LAMATA mentioned each valuers ultimately agreed on N14 million, after which the company reviewed the quantity upward to N15.62 million.
LAMATA additional maintained that the demolition was not compelled however carried out with the approval of the affiliation’s management. “The chairman gave a transparent go-ahead,” the company said, including that the organisation even confirmed the title to be written on the cheque.
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The company confused it acted responsibly and “won’t in any method trigger disharmony” in the midst of implementing authorities transport tasks.
Based a number of many years in the past, Mboho Mkparawa Ibibio is the main socio-cultural organisation of the Ibibio ethnic nationality, with chapters throughout Nigeria and within the diaspora, together with the USA, Canada, the UK, and South Africa.
Its Lagos chapters, the Larger Lagos and Ikorodu Chapters, have lengthy served as rallying factors for the Ibibios and Akwa Ibom indigenes within the state.
