Mechanics protest at Lagos Assembly over allegations of land grabbing and violence

On Monday, hundreds of automobile mechanics from the Isokan Mechanic and Allied Association gathered at the Lagos State House of Assembly to protest against alleged land grabbing, violence, and threats to their livelihoods in Isheri Olofin, within Egbe–Idimu Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

The demonstrators, holding signs, accused Hon. Idris Balogun, the Chairman of the Egbe–Idimu LCDA, of orchestrating ongoing assaults on their mechanic village along Oladun Road in the Isheri-Idimu Powerline corridor, claiming he seeks to forcibly evict them for personal gain.

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Their signs expressed urgent pleas, such as “Save us from land grabbers,” “Powerline belongs to government, not Omo Onile,” and “Stop the oppression of Isheri-Idimu mechanics.” The protesters requested immediate intervention from lawmakers to safeguard their jobs and avert violence.

Mr. Adeleke Odufeko, the chairman of the mechanic village, spoke on behalf of the mechanics, stating that the land was lawfully allocated to them by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation. He clarified that the mechanics have adhered to a directive prohibiting the construction of permanent structures on the site.

Odufeko noted that the association pays annual royalties to traditional leaders in both Idimu and Isheri, reinforcing their rightful claim to the land. He accused Hon. Balogun, who he described as a royal family member but not a reigning king, of harassing the mechanics since 2016 through demands for money, arrests, and intimidation.

The harassment persisted despite a court order issued in 2024 that required all parties to maintain the current situation. Odufeko reported an incident on November 29, when alleged thugs, accompanied by military and police personnel, attacked the mechanic village, damaging property, vehicles, and injuring several artisans.

While the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation sent a task force to intervene, Odufeko claimed that the aggressors returned and continued their attacks, hindering mechanics from accessing their workspaces. He expressed that he has been targeted due to his leadership role, criticizing the toll this has taken on the livelihoods of over 10,000 artisans represented by the association.

In response to the protest, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly from the Oshodi-Isolo Constituency, addressed the crowd, assuring them their concerns would be raised with the Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashir Obasa. Ogundipe promised that all parties.