The Oyo State Government has disclosed the reason for the demolition of an abandoned hotel, De Castle Inn, along Agodi Gate-Mokola Road in Ibadan over the weekend.
The structure was previously used as a hotel in the metropolis, before it was demolished on Saturday by the officials of the state government.
Explaining the rationale behind the demolition, the Commissioner for Lands, Housing, Survey and Urban Development, Williams Akin-Funmilayo, cited security concerns in the area.
He stated that the building had been abandoned by the owner for years, noting that the state government had earlier warned owners of abandoned structures in the state to put them to use.
According to the commissioner, such abandoned structures poses security threats as they were being used by criminals to perpetrate evil acts.
Akin-Funmilayo said the government had in a statement issued in February 2025 cautioned that it would take over any abandoned structure posing a threat to the public.
