Lagos Government Shuts Down Planned Cemetery in Surulere After Residents’ Outcry
Story: written by Peterson Octgober 20,2025
The Lagos State Government has sealed off a construction site intended for a cemetery project in the Bode Thomas area of Surulere, following strong protests from residents who cited health and environmental risks.
The decision came after residents of the Natufe/Animashaun community staged a peaceful protest on Saturday morning, defying heavy rain to oppose the project. They expressed fears that the proposed burial ground would pollute their borehole water and jeopardize public health in the densely populated neighbourhood.
Carrying placards with messages such as “No Cemetery in Our Community”, protesters gathered at the site — a wide expanse of land surrounded by residential buildings, a church, and a school — accusing the developer, Mr. Olumide Amure, of ignoring previous objections and resuming work secretly despite residents’ resistance.
Reacting to the incident, Gbenga Omotoso, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, confirmed that the government had ordered an immediate halt to the project.
“The burial ground site has been sealed, and no such project will be allowed there. Residents should rest assured that the government has taken action,” Omotoso said in a statement.
Community leaders noted that this was not the first attempt by the same developer to site a cemetery in the area. Mrs. Omolabake Braimoh, Chairperson of the Natufe/Animashaun Community Development Association (CDA), said residents had blocked a similar move two years ago.
“He started building again without approval. We learned he planned two cemeteries — one for adults and another for children. Our community relies solely on borehole water, and this will contaminate it. We’ve petitioned the local and state authorities to stop it permanently,” she explained.
Former CDA Chairman, Mr. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, recalled that the community had previously petitioned both local and state authorities to stop the same developer.
“We have the documents from the last attempt. I’m sure Governor Sanwo-Olu would never approve a cemetery in a residential area. This is a public health concern, not progress,” he said.
Residents vowed to resist any future attempts to revive the project, insisting that a cemetery in a residential area is “an invitation to disaster.”
As of press time, Mr. Amure, the developer, had yet to issue an official response. Government officials, however, reaffirmed that the sealed site will remain under investigation, emphasizing that no burial ground will be permitted within the community.
