Lagos: Festac residents plan protest over alleged FHA fence demolition

Residents and stakeholders in Festac Town, Lagos State, have announced plans for a peaceful protest at the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) headquarters over the alleged demolition of sections of the estate's perimeter fence. The affected fence is claimed to form part of a public reserve, housing electricity and power infrastructure for Festac Town and neighboring communities.

This announcement came after residents reported that FHA officials, accompanied by armed police, allegedly dismantled a significant portion of the perimeter fence and removed the estate's gateway. Concerns have been raised regarding unlawful extortion, the sale of public utility spaces, and other actions perceived to negatively impact the community.

President of Bring Back Festac, Valentine Uduebo, called for calm and law-abiding behavior during the protest, promising to announce a date for the demonstration. A resident reported seeing armed FHA officials with multiple police officers and multiple buses, all involved in the alleged fence demolition. The resident emphasized that the removed fence was not recently constructed, having existed prior to the recent events.

Bring Back Festac also alleged that residents faced unlawful extortion and that public utility spaces were sold, with development plans approved without proper consent.