Community leaders, civil society activists and displaced residents on Wednesday staged a protest at the Ikeja Under-Bridge area of Lagos, condemning what they described as ongoing demolitions and forced evictions in several waterfront and low-income communities across the state.
The protesters accused the Lagos State Government of carrying out demolitions in areas such as Makoko, Owode Onirin and Oworonshoki without adequate notice, compensation or clear resettlement plans for affected residents.
The demonstration saw protesters occupying strategic sections of the busy Ikeja under-bridge, attracting the attention of commuters and motorists plying the major route.
Security operatives were also observed monitoring the situation as traffic slowed intermittently due to the gathering.
Carrying placards and banners with bold inscriptions, the protesters voiced strong opposition to the demolitions. Messages on the placards read: “Stop Forced Evictions Now,” “Makoko Lives Matter,” “Demolition Without Resettlement Is Injustice,” “Urban Renewal, Not Urban Removal,” “Homes Not Rubble,” and “Housing Is a Human Right.”
Other placards posed questions and demands such as “Where Do You Want the Poor to Go?”, “Lagos Is for All, Not the Rich Alone,” “Respect Court Orders,” and “Development Without Displacement.”
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Some demonstrators also displayed photographs allegedly showing demolished homes, displaced families, children and elderly persons affected by the exercise.
As they marched and chanted solidarity songs, the protesters repeatedly called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately halt further demolitions and initiate dialogue with affected communities. Popular chants included “No Justice, No Peace,” “Makoko Is Not a Slum,” and “Consult the People.”
Speaking to journalists at the scene, several activists described the demolitions as inhumane and a violation of existing court rulings that restrain forced evictions in waterfront communities.
They alleged that many residents were rendered homeless overnight, with families forced to sleep in canoes, under bridges and in open spaces following the destruction of their homes.
According to the protesters, communities such as Makoko, Owode Onirin and Oworonshoki have existed for decades and contribute significantly to the social and economic fabric of Lagos. They argued that such areas should be upgraded through inclusive urban planning and basic infrastructure development rather than being demolished.
The protesters vowed to sustain the demonstrations until the government responds to their demands, which include the immediate suspension of demolitions, provision of relief materials for displaced residents, payment of compensation, and the adoption of humane and inclusive resettlement policies.
They also urged the Lagos State Government to respect court orders, uphold the rights of vulnerable residents and ensure that urban development policies do not come at the expense of the poor and marginalised.