Businessman Tunde Taiwo Accuses Chinese Firm Sheng Xin of Illegal Takeover, ₦500m Property Demolition
…Says He Followed Due Process, Seeks Government Intervention, Justice
A small-scale industrialist and promoter of Sevam’s Gases and Real Life Products, Mr. Tunde Taiwo, has cried out for help following the alleged demolition of his ₦500 million gas production facility by a Chinese firm, Sheng Xin Industrial Co. Ltd, and its local collaborators.
Mr. Taiwo, whose company deals in industrial and medical gases, including carbon dioxide and oxygen for commercial and hospital use, alleged that his plant located at Peteh area along Lagos-Ibadan Airspace Way, Ogun State, was illegally invaded and destroyed by men who claimed to be acting on behalf of another firm, Sengen Industries Limited, said to be owned by Chinese nationals and one “Olugere’s son.”
According to a petition written to the Commissioner for Justice and the Attorney General of Ogun State, the incident occurred in mid-October 2025, when over a hundred men, including armed mobile policemen and heavy-duty equipment operators, stormed his premises without any court or government demolition order, razing down buildings, production equipment, and storage facilities valued at over ₦500 million.
Recounting how the crisis began, Mr. Taiwo said he lawfully purchased the land measuring one acre in August 2023 from the Asurugbe family of Ogere Remo, under Ogun State jurisdiction.
“Before I bought the land, I went to the Ministry of Lands in Abeokuta. The government surveyors came, charted the land, and confirmed that it was free from acquisition,” he narrated.
“They advised me to do the survey, submit all my company documents, and begin the process of ratification since the land fell within government-acquired territory. I followed every instruction to the letter.”
He said that after completing all necessary assessments, officials informed him that another company, UNIFED, had an overlapping boundary, and both parties were advised to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
“We were ready for the MoU, but it never materialized. Still, we had no issues. We commenced operations peacefully by December 2023, producing industrial and medical gases,” he said.
For months, the company operated without interference. The traditional landowners, led by Alhaji Awusipe of the Asurugbe family, reportedly attended the plant’s commissioning ceremony.
“No one ever challenged our presence or ownership. Even the families who sold the land stood with us during development,” he said.
However, Mr. Taiwo said trouble began on May 1, 2025 (Workers’ Day) when he was alerted that a 40-foot container had been placed across the factory entrance by individuals claiming he had encroached on their land.
“They locked my customers inside and blocked access. They claimed we encroached on their property, even though their own land had been untouched, undeveloped, and only accessible through ours. It was shocking and provocative,” he recounted.
According to him, he reported the matter to the Ogun State Task Force on Land Grabbing and Illegal Development, as well as the Area Command of the Nigeria Police. He also involved the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning, where petitions were submitted to relevant authorities.
“I wanted peace. I warned that if government didn’t step in, it could lead to confrontation or bloodshed,” he said.
Mr. Taiwo’s worst fears materialized on Saturday, October 17, 2025, when heavily armed men invaded his property.
“They came in about four trucks, five vehicles of mobile policemen with no identification, and a caterpillar,” he said.
“When asked for any demolition order or official backing, they said none was needed because they were taking possession of their land.”
He said his lawyer intervened, and the police temporarily stopped the demolition. However, by Monday, the attackers returned, allegedly backed by individuals claiming to have “court approval.”
“At the meeting with police, they tried to show us a document that turned out to be fake. Even the officer who read it said it only mentioned adjusting a fence, not demolition,” he alleged.
Despite the confusion, the group allegedly leveled the entire plant, destroying production machines, gas storage areas, administrative buildings, and perimeter fencing.
“They didn’t just destroy; they stole. Some of the vandals carted away valves and gauges, thinking they were scrap metal. I lost everything I’ve worked for in over 27 years of my career,” he lamented.
After the destruction, Mr. Taiwo claimed the same group fenced off the entire area, barring him and his workers from accessing the premises.
“They fenced it completely. I can’t even go in to salvage a single item. It feels like my property has been seized in broad daylight,” he said bitterly.
He accused a local monarch, the Ologere of Ogere, of being complicit in the takeover.
“The Ologere’s son, together with the Chinese partners, were behind everything. They claimed to have bought the land in 2024 months after I had purchased and developed mine,” he stated.
According to information seen on the CAC website, the company Sheng Xin Industrial Co. Ltd was incorporated in October 2023, after his own acquisition, yet allegedly produced backdated documents to justify their claim. Checks also revealed that the Ologere’s son is a director of the company.
“They even forged a family member’s signature to claim ownership of all the surrounding land,” he alleged.
“Even if they believe they have a case, the law is clear you don’t take possession through violence or self-help. You go to court.”
He however call for Government intervention, Mr. Taiwo appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, and the Ogun State Task Force on Land Grabbing to urgently intervene.
“I want the government to call the Chinese company and the Ologere family to order. They should compensate me for malicious destruction and theft. The government must also determine the true ownership through proper investigation,” he said.
He further urged the police hierarchy and anti-land-grabbing agencies to ensure that such acts of impunity do not continue unchecked in Ogun State’s industrial corridor.
“This is how investors lose confidence. I worked for nearly three decades in the gas industry, invested all my life savings, and within a day, everything vanished. Government must not allow this injustice to stand,” he appealed.
For Mr. Taiwo, however, it is not just another headline it is a painful reminder that in Nigeria’s property market, due diligence may not always guarantee safety, unless government institutions rise firmly in defense of justice and lawful ownership.
“I only want justice,” he said quietly. “Let the truth come out, and let what has been destroyed be restored.”
When contacted for his reaction, the Ologere of Ogere replied,
“Neither myself nor my son was involved in any demolition of property. It’s better to direct your letter to the company involved. The manager of the Chinese company can be reached on 09127********.”
When contacted, the son of the Ologere, whose name appeared on the CAC document as a director of the company, responded courteously:
“Good afternoon. I am not a director or staff of Shengxin Company, as was wrongly stated in their CAC document which shall be rectified soon. I didn’t lead any demolition, neither do I have detailed information about the incident.
Nevertheless, you can direct all your enquiries to this principal staff of the company 0912*******.”
However, efforts to reach the firm’s owner, Mr. Xuehong Yang, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to text messages as at the time of filing this report neither was there any response from the number given by both the Ologere of Ogere and his son.
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