The Coalition Against Demolitions, Forced Evictions, Land Grabbing and Displacements in Lagos says 12 persons have died and thousands displaced due to the recent demolitions in the Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara, and Baba-Ijora communities of the state.
Speaking at a press conference jointly organised by the coalition and the affected communities, Zikora Ibeh, assistant executive director, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), said the exercises have shown plans by the state government to “clear valuable land for elite interests and private mega-developments, with little or no notice, consultation, compensation or resettlement plan”.
Ibeh, who read the joint press statement by the coalition, said the demolitions of structures in waterfront and informal settlements in Lagos target residents who have neither the political power nor the economic means to resist.
She added that the Lagos state government “hypocritically claimed” that the demolished communities are an environmental hazard but failed to mention how it failed to provide basic amenities in such communities.
“The government has also hypocritically claimed that the demolished communities are an environmental hazard and unfit for human habitation,” Ibeh said.
“It failed to mention that, for decades, it has consistently failed in its constitutional and moral responsibility to provide basic infrastructure and social services for residents, including sanitation, potable water, healthcare facilities, quality schools, waste management, and support for safe housing.
“Instead of addressing these failures, the same government now weaponises its neglect as justification for demolitions, punishing communities for conditions the state itself helped create.
“The ongoing demolitions in Makoko, a historic community of over 100,000 residents, started on December 23, 2025, and have affected more than 3,000 homes and displaced more than 10,000 people.
“Like in Otodo Gbame and Oworonshoki, armed thugs, security personnel and demolition teams with bulldozers descended repeatedly on the community.
Some homes were set ablaze with little or no warning, even while residents were inside. Tear gas was deployed against women, children, and elderly persons, leaving many injured and hospitalised, with about 12 persons, including two babies, reported dead so far.”
The CAPPA assistant executive director said in 2006 the Lagos state government selected nine slum communities to benefit from a $200 million initiative financed by the World Bank.
“The Lagos Metropolitan Development and Governance Project (LMDGP) involved building or upgrading schools, hospitals, markets and other facilities in the informal settlements of Agege, Ajegunle, Amukoko, Badia, Iwaya, Makoko, Ilaje, Bariga and Ijeshatedo/Itire,” she said.
“A 2013 Premium Times investigation found that all the government did for Makoko was to sink a borehole that didn’t work and then install an old transformer instead of a brand new one as specified by the World Bank.
“The project was expected to benefit one million people out of a total state population of around 17 million at the time. By the time it ended in September 2013, the World Bank rated the government’s implementation of the project as unsatisfactory.
“It is part of the World Bank policy that when slums are upgraded, residents should not be displaced, and inconveniences should be kept to a minimum.
“Despite this provision, in 2014, barely one year later, the Lagos State Government embarked on an aggressive demolition of major slums across the state”.
DEMANDS
Ibeh said the coalition demands that the Lagos government should stop all demolitions and forced evictions in full compliance with existing court orders.
She added that the coalition asked the state government to provide short-term emergency shelter for all displaced families.
“Immediate provision of learning support for displaced school children and access to healthcare for those in need,” she said.
“Full compensation for all homes, schools, health facilities and livelihoods illegally demolished.
“Compensation and redress for victims of brutality and abuse, including families who lost loved ones during the demolitions.
“Immediate initiation of a transparent, inclusive resettlement plan, developed in consultation with affected communities, for all displaced residents, ensuring access to housing, education, healthcare, livelihoods and basic services.”
The joint press statement was signed by Ibeh; Israel Idowu, student coordinator, Makoko Waterfront community; Abiodun Ahmed, Chairman, Owode Motor Spare Parts Market; Tunde Yusuf, secretary, Ajegunle Peoples Movement (APM); and Olanrewaju Olusegun, secretary, Coalition of Oworonshoki Demolition Victims.
Others are Betty Abah, founder of the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEEHOPE); Alex Omotehinse, president of the Centre for Human and Social Economic Rights (CHSR); Iwamitighi Irowainu, president of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide; Opeyemi Adamolekun, founder of Enough is Enough (EiE); and Hassan Taiwo Soweto, member of the #EndBadGovernance Movement, Lagos state.
Coalition against demolitions,
Demolitions in Lagos,
Makoko,
Oworonshoki
