Banana Island Shuts Down Short-Let and Airbnb Rentals After Security Breach

Banana Island Estate in Ikoyi, Lagos, has announced a complete ban on short-let and Airbnb-style rentals across the entire community following a recent security breach linked to suspected criminal activity. The decision marks a major shift for one of Nigeria’s most exclusive residential areas, as estate leaders move to tighten security and protect residents.

The announcement was made in a statement issued by the executive committee of the Banana Island Property Owners and Residents Association, Lagos (BIPORAL). According to the association, investigations revealed that short-let apartments were increasingly being used by criminal elements to gain access into the gated estate, raising serious safety and privacy concerns.

BIPORAL said the decision was reached after careful consideration of the risks posed by transient occupants. The association explained that the frequent turnover of short-term tenants undermined collective security, disrupted community harmony, and compromised the privacy residents expect within the estate’s controlled environment.

The ban, which takes effect from Monday, February 9, applies to all residential and commercial properties within Banana Island. While acknowledging that the move may inconvenience some property owners and operators, the committee stressed that it was necessary to preserve the estate’s reputation as a safe, serene, and exclusive community.

The action follows the arrest of members of a suspected criminal gang that had allegedly been operating within the estate for several months. According to BIPORAL, the suspects’ strategy involved renting short-let apartments in gated estates to coordinate theft and other criminal activities. A tip-off from an estate security operative reportedly led to a police operation at a short-let apartment in George Residences on Femi Pedro Street.

With the support of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, officers arrested a principal suspect along with four others during the raid. Vehicles, mobile phones and a laptop were recovered and taken into police custody.

Three more suspects were later arrested while attempting to retrieve one of the seized vehicles, and further investigations reportedly uncovered stolen items and disguises linked to overnight criminal operations within Banana Island.

Residents’ leaders say the development reinforces the need for stricter access controls and long-term occupancy policies in high-security estates. For Banana Island, the shutdown of short-let operations signals a renewed focus on safety, stability and community trust over short-term commercial gains.