Lagos Coastal Road: Citizen Raises Alarm Over Alleged FG, State Face-off

A concerned citizen from Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ismaila Alimi, has raised the alarm over an alleged confrontation between officials of the Lagos State Government and a Federal Government Task Force operating along portions of the Lagos Coastal Road.

Alimi, in a statement dated September 10, 2026, alleged that Lagos State officials, acting under the direction of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, were attempting to obstruct, intimidate and undermine the Federal Task Force responsible for the recovery and protection of Federal landed properties and enforcement of the approved coastal highway setback.

He named CSP Shola Jejeloye of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad, RRS; CSP Tayo Akerele of the Lagos State Task Force; Dr Jide Abiodun, Special Adviser to the Governor on eGIS and Urban Development; and Bldr. Omolola Florence Gbaye of the Lagos State Building Control Agency, among others.

The allegation comes against the backdrop of the Federal Government’s position that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a Federal infrastructure project, with Federal authorities responsible for survey coordination, Federal reservations and Right-of-Way enforcement.

Alimi alleged that on September 4, 2026, Lagos State officials accompanied by a large police contingent visited Kuramo, Victoria Island; Mayegun Coastal Road; and Ilasan in Eti-Osa, where Federal Task Force personnel were operating.

He claimed the officials were looking for the Head of the Federal Task Force, identified as Mr Boomelin, allegedly to arrest or intimidate him.

Personnel attached to the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation were also allegedly threatened, according to Alimi.

He further alleged that the Lagos officials returned to some of the properties on September 7, forcibly entered parts of the land and erected real-estate billboards despite the presence of the Federal Task Force and its security personnel.

Alimi argued that, if proven, the allegations would raise issues beyond a conventional land dispute and could affect Federal-State relations and the exercise of constitutional powers.

“Who authorised the deployment of armed police personnel to Federal properties? Who authorised the attempt to arrest or intimidate Federal Task Force personnel?

“Who authorised the alleged forcible entry and erection of structures or advertisements on properties secured under a Federal mandate?” he asked.

The concerned citizen also demanded clarification over alleged comments by a senior Lagos State official that the Federal Government had no land in Lagos State and that Federal land was vested in the governor.

He said that if the claim was accurately reported, the relevant authorities should immediately clarify the position.

Alimi said the Federal Government’s intervention in the land matter was allegedly driven by concerns over encroachment, unauthorised allocations, questionable documentation, competing title claims, fraudulent transactions, land grabbing and poor management of government assets.

He maintained that any suspected irregularities should be subjected to investigation and verification by the appropriate authorities instead of confrontation.

Calling for presidential intervention, Alimi urged President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly to prevent a potential clash between the Federal and Lagos State governments.

He called for the withdrawal of any Lagos State security personnel allegedly deployed to the disputed Federal properties, protection for Federal Task Force personnel and Surveyor-General officials, and an immediate halt to construction, development, occupation, demolition and advertisements on the affected properties pending verification.

He also asked the President to investigate the alleged deployment of security personnel against officers operating under Federal authority.

In addition, Alimi urged the Surveyor-General of the Federation to carry out comprehensive verification and demarcation of the affected properties and coastal highway reservations.

“Lagos State is an integral part of Nigeria, but it is not a separate republic.

“The Lagos State Government is meant to work together with the Federal Government within the limits of their respective constitutional and statutory powers,” he said.

Alimi urged the Federal Government to determine who authorised the alleged actions, the reasons for them and the legal authority relied upon.

He said his intervention was aimed not at provoking a confrontation with the Lagos State Government but at promoting accountability and respect for constitutional authority.

He appealed to residents and stakeholders to remain calm while the relevant authorities investigate the allegations and work towards resolving the dispute.

Africans Angle News