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Outrage in Surulere as Residents Protest ‘Illegal Cemetery Project’ Near School, Homes — Demand Sanwo-Olu’s Immediate Intervention
There was tension over the weekend in the Natufe/Animashaun Community, Surulere, as residents staged a massive protest against the construction of a cemetery in their neighbourhood, describing it as illegal, dangerous, and life-threatening.
The protesters, carrying placards that read “No to cemetery in Nature Estate,” “Don’t impose cemetery threat,” and “Say no to nightmares,” vowed to resist the project and march to the Lagos State Government House in Alausa this week.
Chairperson of the Community Development Association (CDA), Alhaja Aminat Omolabake Braimoh, said the project poses a serious health risk as the site sits directly opposite a school in a flood-prone area.
“Each time it rains, water seeps into our boreholes. Imagine what will happen when corpses are buried there our drinking water will be contaminated,” she warned.
She called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State House of Assembly to intervene urgently before the situation gets out of hand.
Another resident, Mr. Olanrewaju Olaniran, said the community had written several petitions since 2020, adding that government agencies had twice marked the site, yet construction continues in defiance.
“We are saying no to this cemetery. It’s a threat to our health and safety,” he declared.
Residents also accused some officials of ignoring government directives and vowed to continue their protest until the project is stopped completely.
As of press time, efforts to reach officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development were unsuccessful.