Surulere Residents Protest Cemetery Project, Raise Health, Environmental Concerns

Residents of Natufe Estate and surrounding communities in the Bode Thomas area of Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday defied heavy rainfall to protest the alleged construction of a cemetery within their neighbourhood.

The protest, which drew large crowds from Natufe, Animashaun, and adjoining streets, took place at the disputed site, a wide expanse of land off Babs Animashaun Road, bordered by residential buildings, a school, and a church, just a few metres from the Bode Thomas junction traffic light.

Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “No Cemetery Here”, “Our Health Matters”, and “Protect Our Children, Stop the Cemetery Project”, the demonstrators accused the developers of attempting to force the project on them without community consent.

Health and Environmental Concerns

Speaking during the protest, some residents said the proposed burial ground poses grave health risks due to potential groundwater contamination and environmental hazards.

Mr. Seyi Oluwafolalu, a resident, warned that decomposing human remains could contaminate the community’s borehole water supply, especially as the area is already prone to flooding.

“This area is waterlogged. Once it rains, water rises across compounds. If a cemetery is built here, the leachate from decomposing bodies can seep into our boreholes, exposing families to infectious diseases,” he said.

Experts have long cautioned that cemeteries located within residential zones can leach harmful pathogens, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals into groundwater. The World Health Organization (WHO) also notes that poorly planned cemeteries in flood-prone areas increase the risk of contamination of drinking water sources, potentially causing cholera, dysentery, and other waterborne diseases.

Residents also expressed fears that the site could become a hub for ritual activities, insecurity, and psychological trauma, especially for children and women who move around the area at night.

Community Leaders Reject Alleged Manipulation

Mrs. Omolabake Aminat Buraimoh, Chairperson of the Natufe-Animashaun Community Development Association (CDA), accused the developers and some government officials of conducting meetings without community representation.

“We have been opposing this project since 2020. We went to the Ministry of Physical Planning in Alausa twice. Suddenly, they called a meeting at short notice and claimed 60% of residents agreed, that’s false. They brought people from Orile, Mushin, and other places to represent us. We reject it completely,” she said.

Another resident, Mrs. Yinka Iluyomade, who has lived in the area for over 47 years, described the project as “a direct assault on community peace and property values.”

“How can you compare this to cemeteries abroad? Those are planned with strict environmental control. Here, insecurity is already an issue. Siting a cemetery in a densely populated area will worsen it,” she said.

Experts Call for Urban Planning Compliance

Urban planners argue that cemeteries should only be located in controlled environments with proper soil testing, drainage systems, and at least 500 metres buffer distance from residential buildings, a guideline often ignored in Nigeria.

Mr. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, a former CDA chairman, said the community had written several petitions to ministries of Environment, Physical Planning, and Health.

“We lack good roads and public water supply. Now they want to impose a cemetery that could worsen our health and security challenges. We’ve written to 11 ministries and agencies, yet no action,” he said.

He stressed that cemeteries within urban centres violate international best practices, which recommend siting such facilities on the outskirts of towns to prevent contamination and maintain public safety.

Property Devaluation and Socioeconomic Impact

Real estate experts note that the presence of cemeteries within residential zones can reduce property values by up to 60 percent. Residents fear their investments and long-term livelihood will be jeopardized if the project continues.

“Nobody wants to live beside graves. Businesses will relocate, schools will lose students, and house rents will drop drastically,” said another resident, Mr. Ofo.

Government Yet to Respond

As of press time, the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development had not issued an official statement on the matter.

Community leaders, however, vowed to sustain their peaceful demonstrations until the project is halted and the land use reverted.

Environmental health experts emphasize that cemeteries within residential zones pose long-term risks to water quality, soil health, and mental wellbeing. Proper zoning, groundwater testing, and environmental impact assessments are essential before such developments are approved.