Rights groups slam Lagos Govt over demolitions, evictions in Makoko, other communities

By Paul Dada

A coalition of human rights groups have strongly condemned the ongoing demolitions and forced evictions by the Lagos State Government in some communities.

In a statement titled “Systemic, Illegal, Cruel and Deceitful Forced Evictions: A Demand for Justice, Accountability and Resettlement for Makoko and Other Affected Communities”, the groups described the actions of the Lagos State Government as a deliberate pattern of state-enabled violence targeting the urban poor to clear land for elite interests and private mega-developments.

They said, “These actions against thousands of peaceful, hardworking residents represent a deliberate pattern of state-enabled violence against the urban poor, carried out to clear valuable land for elite interests and private mega-developments, with little or no notice, consultation, compensation or resettlement plan.”

According to the coalition, these demolitions overwhelmingly affect fishermen, traders, women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. “By destroying homes without alternatives, the government has plunged thousands into acute humanitarian distress, exposing families to hunger, disease, illiteracy, violence and death,” the statement added.

The groups documented multiple instances of forced evictions across Lagos over the years, including Otodo Gbame (2016–2017), Oworonshoki (2023), Orisunmibare and Otto (2024), and Oko Baba (2024), as well as recent operations in Ilaje-Otumara and Baba Ijora in March 2025, which left over 10,000 people homeless.

They said, in Oworonshoki, hundreds of homes were demolished overnight in October 2025 despite an interim court injunction secured by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN).  They said that tear gas was reportedly deployed against residents, while many were beaten, arrested, and detained in Kirikiri and Ikoyi Prisons.

The groups said, Makoko, a historic waterfront community of over 100,000 residents, had also suffered extensive demolitions since 23 December 2025, leaving more than 10,000 people displaced. The groups said, armed personnel, demolition teams, and bulldozers reportedly set homes on fire while residents were inside. According to them, tear gas injured many, and at least 12 people, including two babies, were reported dead. Schools, clinics, and places of worship were also destroyed, they reported.

The statement criticised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for offering palliatives to affected communities, describing the gesture as “heartless”. “The residents of Makoko and other affected communities are not beggars… They do not need handouts. They need their homes, their schools, their clinics, and livelihoods back,” the statement said.

Rights groups also accused the Lagos State Government of defying court orders. They said,  in August 2025, Justice F.N. Ogazi of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, restrained the government from further demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, Sogunro, and Iwaya, awarding ₦3 million in damages for previous unlawful demolitions. The government has reportedly ignored this judgment.

The coalition concluded with a call for immediate action, demanding an end to all forced evictions, provision of emergency shelter, compensation for destroyed properties, resettlement plans, and a public apology from the Lagos State Government.

The statement was signed by leaders of affected communities and organisations, including Israel Idowu of Makoko, Betty Abah of CEEHOPE, Comrade Alex Omotehinse of CHSR, and other  social justice advocates.