By Ghazali Ibrahim
The prestigious Banana Island Estate in Ikoyi has banned all short-let and Airbnb-style rentals across the community following the arrest of eight suspected thieves linked to criminal activities involving rented short-stay apartments, residents’ associations and police sources say.
In a statement issued by the Banana Island Property Owners and Residents Association, Lagos (BIPORAL), the executive committee said the decision to halt short-let operations effective February 9, 2026 was taken to protect residents’ safety, privacy and the estate’s serene environment after evidence emerged that some criminals exploited short-term accommodation to infiltrate the gated community.
The security breach came to light when estate security personnel tipped off police, who carried out a 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.
Authorities arrested a principal suspect and four others during the operation, recovering vehicles, mobile phones and a laptop later taken to a police station for further investigation. Three more suspects were reportedly apprehended while attempting to reclaim one of the seized vehicles.
According to BIPORAL, subsequent follow-up investigations uncovered stolen items and disguises connected to coordinated overnight activities within the estate, and all eight suspects have since confessed involvement in the offences.
Banana Island known as one of West Africa’s most affluent residential enclaves has in recent years seen growth in short-stay rentals, mirroring broader trends in Lagos. However, the executive committee said the transient nature of such arrangements weakens collective security measures, disrupts community cohesion and undermines residents’ privacy.
The association said the ban, though difficult, was necessary to maintain the estate’s safe and exclusive character, and pledged to continue working with security agencies and occupants to enhance access control and monitoring.
Residents of Banana Island and other high-end gated communities nationwide have increasingly raised concerns about security and unregulated rentals. The new ban highlights efforts by estate authorities to address vulnerabilities after concrete evidence of criminal exploitation of short-let properties surfaced.
