Buying land in Nigeria, especially in fast-growing urban and peri-urban areas, comes with significant risks. One of the most common threats to buyers is the activities of Omo-Onile land grabbers. These individuals or family groups often sell land they do not legally own, sell the same land to multiple buyers, or demand endless “settlement” fees long after payment has been made.
A licensed surveyor is one of the most important professionals in protecting buyers from these scams. Through technical verification and independent checks, surveyors provide the factual clarity needed to confirm that a piece of land is genuine, properly located, and legally safe to acquire.
Verifying the True Boundaries of the Land
One of the most common tactics used by Omo-Onile groups is misrepresenting the actual extent of the land being sold. A buyer may be shown one parcel on the ground, only to later discover that part of the land belongs to a neighbor, falls on a road alignment, or extends into government land.
A surveyor uses professional instruments such as GNSS/GPS receivers and total stations to accurately define and measure the land boundaries. These measurements ensure that the land physically shown to the buyer matches the land described in documents. Clear boundary identification prevents future encroachment disputes and protects the buyer from paying for land they cannot legally occupy.
Confirming Government Acquisition Status
Many unsuspecting buyers fall victim to scams by purchasing land that has already been acquired by the government for public use. Such land may appear cheap and available, but it is legally unsafe. Structures built on acquired land may be demolished without compensation.
Surveyors confirm the acquisition status of land by plotting its coordinates and conducting verification at the Office of the Surveyor-General, particularly in Lagos State and other states with centralized survey records. This process determines whether the land is free from acquisition, under committed acquisition, or fully excised. This single step can save buyers from catastrophic financial loss.
Authenticating the Survey Plan
Fake or altered survey plans are a major tool used by land scammers. These documents may carry incorrect coordinates, wrong local government names, or entirely fictitious plot numbers.
A qualified surveyor verifies the authenticity of a survey plan by checking its registration status and confirming that the details align with official records. The surveyor ensures that the plan reflects the correct location, scale, beacon numbers, and coordinate values. Without a valid and registered survey plan, a land transaction is fundamentally unsafe.
Detecting Existing Disputes and Encumbrances
Land disputes are common in areas dominated by family land ownership. Some sellers deliberately conceal ongoing conflicts, court cases, or overlapping claims.
Through field checks and record verification, a surveyor can identify red flags such as multiple beacon placements, conflicting survey plans, or discrepancies between physical boundaries and recorded data. These findings often signal underlying disputes or encumbrances that a buyer should avoid.
Providing a Reliable Basis for Legal Documentation
Every legitimate land transaction relies on accurate technical data. Survey reports prepared by licensed surveyors provide the factual foundation required for drafting legal documents such as Deeds of Assignment, Deeds of Conveyance, and applications for Certificates of Occupancy.
In the event of future disputes, the surveyor’s report serves as objective evidence in legal proceedings. Courts and land registries rely heavily on professionally prepared survey data to determine the true status and extent of a property.
Verifying the Seller’s Ownership Claims
Another common Omo-Onile tactic is impersonation or false claims of ownership. A surveyor helps confirm whether the seller’s claim aligns with land registry records and existing survey data. By cross-checking survey information with official records, the surveyor helps ensure that the person selling the land has a legitimate right to do so.
Why Working With a Licensed Surveyor Is Essential
Only licensed and registered surveyors are legally recognized to carry out cadastral and boundary surveys in Nigeria. Engaging an unqualified person increases the risk of receiving inaccurate or fraudulent information.
For maximum protection, buyers should work with a licensed surveyor and cross-verify all findings at the relevant land registries. Collaboration between the surveyor and a qualified property lawyer further strengthens the transaction, ensuring both technical and legal safety.
Conclusion
Omo-Onile scams thrive in situations where buyers rely on verbal assurances and unverified documents. Surveyors act as the buyer’s first line of defense by providing independent, technical verification of land boundaries, legal status, and ownership claims.
Before paying for any land, engaging a professional surveyor is not an optional expense. It is a critical investment in protecting your property, your finances, and your peace of mind.