The Banana Island Estate in Ikoyi, Lagos, has announced a total ban on short-let and Airbnb rentals following a security breach linked to alleged criminal activity within the community.
In a statement issued by the Executive Committee of the Banana Island Property Owners and Residents Association, Lagos (BIPORAL), the decision was described as necessary to protect residents’ security, privacy, and peaceful coexistence.
According to the association, investigations revealed that criminals had been exploiting short-let apartments to gain access to the gated estate, increasing security risks for residents. As a result, BIPORAL resolved to completely end all short-let operations across Banana Island, covering both residential and commercial properties.
“Following the recent security breach and the violation of our longstanding peaceful coexistence as a community, 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,” the statement said.
The association explained that the temporary and transient nature of short-let arrangements undermines collective security, residents’ privacy, and community cohesion. The ban takes effect from Monday, February 9.
BIPORAL also confirmed that police arrested members of a gang alleged to have been terrorising the estate for several months. The suspects were reportedly using rented short-let apartments within gated estates to coordinate their operations.
A tip-off from an estate security officer led to a police raid on a short-let apartment at George Residences on Femi Pedro Street, with support from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan. Five suspects were initially arrested, while vehicles, mobile phones, and a laptop were recovered.
Three additional suspects were later apprehended while attempting to retrieve one of the vehicles, and further investigations reportedly uncovered stolen items and disguises linked to an overnight operation in Banana Island.
The association reassured residents of its commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that the suspects have since confessed and investigations are ongoing.