The Mosque After It Was Allegedly Demolished
Leaders of Ogo Oluwa Jumat Mosque at 9, Cole Street, Ebute-Metta West, Lagos, have petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, over the alleged malicious demolition of the mosque and adjoining properties.
The leaders of the mosque, who includes: Jamiu Bolaji Ekemode, Olawale Hamzat, Mudashiru Taiwo and Bakare Onikoyi, in the petition accused a woman, Mrs. Lateefat Kadiri Ikolaba and officials of Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA)of criminal damage and stealing.
The petition dated October 12, 2026, in which the Area ‘C’ Commander and Iponrin Divisional Police Officer were copied, was submitted to the State Police Commissioner’s office through their solicitors, M. O. Atanda of Penguin Partners.
In the petition, it was alleged that the mosque was completely demolished on October 7, 2026, at about 3pm, by the suspected hoodlums and street urchins who were allegedly led into the premises by Ikolaba and officers of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA).
They claimed that a bulldozer and other heavy equipment were deployed to pull down the mosque and adjoining structures without a court order or other lawful authorisation.
The petitioners stated that the demolished mosque had been used as a place of worship by members of the Muslim community for several years before the demolition. Adding that the destruction was carried out wilfully despite the suspect’s knowledge that the premises housed a mosque regularly used for religious activities.
The petitioners expressed concern over the alleged involvement of government officials and the deployment of equipment said to belong to the state government, describing the circumstances as potentially involving abuse of public office and criminal conspiracy.
They therefore urged the police to investigate who ordered the demolition, identify the owner and operator of the bulldozer, and establish the authority under which the heavy equipment was deployed.
The petitioners also called for a thorough investigation into whether any court order or other lawful instrument authorised the demolition, as well as an assessment of the financial losses suffered by the petitioners and the disruption caused to Muslim worshippers.
They argued that the alleged conduct constitute offences under Sections 383 and 451 of the Criminal Code Act 2004. And urged the police to exercise their investigative powers under Section 4 of the Police Act 2020.
The petitioners further alleged that people dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms were stationed at the demolished mosque to oversee the premises and prevent access for religious activities.
The petitioners therefore appealed to the Commissioner of Police police to give the matter urgent attention and investigate the allegations.