Ajah is a town in Eti-Osa local government area in Lagos State, Nigeria. It is located on the Lekki Peninsula approximately 22 kilometres southeast of Lagos.
Ajah | |
|---|---|
Town | |
| Country |  Nigeria |
| State | Lagos State |
| LGA(s) | Eti-Osa |
| Time zone | WAT |
| ZIP | 101245 |
History
editAjah was founded by the Ojupon, Ogunsemo and Odugbese Abereoje families, who accommodated other families in the 16th century. The trio were the first settlers, and their major occupation was fishing. Among themselves, they appointed the Baale, who would to see to the affairs of the community while they were away fishing in the in the river. The Baale was from Ogunsemo.[1] Ajah land is divided among 42 chiefs and 10 kingmakers. The 11th Baale of Ajah, Chief Murisiku Alani Oseni Adedunloye Ojupon was installed on 1 October 2009.[1]
Ajah is occupied by Ajah and Ilaje people who migrated to Ajah after being displaced from Maroko and Moba. The Ajah and Ìlàje peoples have long been embroiled in intercommunal conflicts.[2] Ajah is also surrounded by a border of water which links the Lagos Lagoon to the Atlantic Ocean.
Climate
editAjah experiences a tropical savanna climate (Aw) according to the Köppen climate classification.
Flooding
editAjah is a flood-prone area in Lagos, with heavy rains often causing destruction, as well as infrequent deaths due to residents being swept away by floodwaters.[3][4][5][6] Part of this has been attributed to urban planning violations and a lack of drainage.[7][8]
Violence
editA number of violent occurrences have been noted in Ajah. These include a fatal police shooting in 2022[9], an armed robbery of a money-carrying van which left one dead[10][11] and intercommunal conflict between the Ajah and Ìlàje peoples, with multiple occurrences of arson, gun violence and rape.[12]
Violence between cults is also prevalent in Ajah. Incidences include a number of beheadings[13][14], as well as widespread arrests due to these clashes[15].
Notable institutions
editGallery
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Ajah sign at a motor-park
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Commercial tricycles (keke NAPEP) in Ajah
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Abraham Adesanya roundabout
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Lagos Business School
References
edit- ^ a b "THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF AJAH – OUR PEOPLE, OUR CULTURE, OUR VOICE". 8 October 2020. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
- ^ "Bullets, blood and tears in unending 'war' between Ilaje and Ajah in Lagos". Tribune Online. 2019-07-06. Retrieved 2021-09-23.
- ^ "Flood sweeps four-year-old girl, displaces over 20 families in Lagos". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2020-06-19. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ Ali, Hauwa (2022-06-20). "Lekki-Ajah residents continue to endure flooding". Naturenews.africa. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Lekki-Ajah: The present and future floods". Punch Newspapers. 2017-07-13. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ Editorial. "AS FLOODS WREAK HAVOC AGAIN…". Thisday. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ Kingsley Adegboye (2020-12-15). "Flooding: Ajah residents protest against developer". Vanguard.ngr. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "FLOODING IN LEKKI: AREAS THAT ARE USUALLY AFFECTED". Neighbourhoodreview.com. 2017-08-16. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Lagos police arrest officer behind shooting of Ajah resident". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Gunmen attack bullion van, loot cash in Lagos". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "See wetin we know about 'shootings wey happun' for Ajah". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ Editorial (2019-07-13). "Ilaje /Ajah clash: Father, son shot dead, women raped". Vanguard.ngr. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Four persons beheaded in Lagos cult clash". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Cult Clash: Three beheaded in fresh attacks in Ajah -". 2019-04-14. Retrieved 2023-03-10.
- ^ "Police arrest 77 for killing, cult clashes in Ajah". Punch Newspapers. 2019-03-25. Retrieved 2023-03-10.