Surulere Residents Protest “Illegal Cemetery Project” Near School and Homes

Residents of Natufe/Animashaun community in Surulere, Lagos, took to the streets to protest the construction of a cemetery in their area on Sunday.

The angry residents described the project as illegal, unsafe, and dangerous to their health. They carried placards with messages such as “No to Cemetery in Nature Estate,” “Don’t Impose Cemetery Threat,” and “Say No to Nightmares.”

They vowed to resist the project and said they would march to the Lagos State Government House in Alausa if the state government fails to act quickly.

The Chairperson of the Community Development Association (CDA), Alhaja Aminat Omolabake Braimoh, told LagosReporter that the planned cemetery poses a serious health risk, especially because it is located directly opposite a school and in a flood-prone area.

“Whenever it rains, water flows into our boreholes. If bodies are buried there, our drinking water will be contaminated,” she warned.

She appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State House of Assembly to step in before the matter escalates.

Another resident, Mr. Olanrewaju Olaniran that spoke to LagosReporter said the community has been protesting the project since 2020.

According to him, government officials had already marked the site twice, but construction still continues despite the warnings.

“This cemetery is a danger to our lives and safety. We won’t allow it,” he said.

Residents accused some officials of ignoring government orders and insisted they would continue their protest until the project is permanently stopped.

As of the time of this report, officials of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development had not responded to calls or messages seeking their reaction.