The Banana Island Estate in Ikoyi, Lagos, has announced a complete ban on short-let apartments across the community following a recent security breach linked to suspected criminal activity.
In a statement released by the Banana Island Property Owners and Residents Association, Lagos (BIPORAL), the executive committee said the decision was necessary to safeguard residents’ security, privacy, and the estate’s long-standing peaceful environment.
Investigations revealed that short-let apartments were allegedly being exploited by criminals to gain access into gated communities, increasing risks for residents.
“Following the recent security breach and the violation of our longstanding peaceful coexistence, the executive committee has resolved to bring a complete end to the operation of short-let and Airbnb activities across the entire Banana Island community, covering both residential and commercial properties,” the statement read.
The association explained that the transient nature of short-let arrangements undermines collective security, residents’ privacy, and overall community cohesion. The ban officially took effect on Monday, February 9
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The move comes after a tip-off from the estate’s security team led to the arrest of a gang of thieves who had allegedly been using rented short-let apartments to carry out coordinated criminal operations. Police operations at George Residences on Femi Pedro Street, assisted by the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, resulted in the arrest of a principal suspect along with four others. Vehicles, phones, and a laptop were recovered during the raid.
Three additional suspects were later arrested while attempting to retrieve one of the stolen vehicles. Further investigations uncovered other stolen items and disguises linked to overnight criminal operations within Banana Island.
The association reassured residents that all arrested suspects have confessed to their crimes and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives, property, and the estate’s legacy.