Three civil society organisations, the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) Nigeria, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), have criticised the Lagos State Government over the ongoing demolition of homes in the Makoko waterfront community, citing reported deaths, mass displacement of residents, and the arrest of a youth leader.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, the organisations condemned what they described as the violent manner in which the exercise is being carried out, alleging that the demolitions have led to the deaths of two infants and an adult, while forcing thousands of residents from their homes.
They said the situation reflects a continuing pattern of neglect and disregard for the rights and welfare of low-income and marginalised communities, many of whom, they noted, have lived in Makoko for decades despite limited state support.
The groups also expressed concern over the arrest of Mr. Oluwatobi Aide, popularly known as Woli, a youth leader in the community. According to the statement, Aide was arrested by security operatives on Monday, January 12, 2026, and is currently being held at the Area F Police Command in Ikeja, after initially being taken to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) office in Alausa.
Eyewitnesses reportedly said Aide had approached officials supervising the demolitions to request a short pause to allow residents retrieve personal belongings, after it became apparent that the exercise had extended beyond the areas earlier identified as falling within power line corridors. Instead of engaging with his appeal, security personnel allegedly arrested him.
The organisations further stated that Aide, who was said to have been affected by tear gas during the demolitions and hospitalised last week, has since experienced a decline in his health while in detention.
Condemning both the demolitions and the arrest, Director of HOMEF, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, described the operation as a harsh assault on vulnerable communities. He alleged that the actions of the state authorities reflect a broader trend of displacing poor residents to make way for elite interests and land speculation, warning that such practices deepen social injustice and insecurity.
According to the groups, since January 5, 2026, armed individuals, security agents, and demolition teams accompanied by bulldozers have repeatedly invaded Makoko, a historic fishing settlement on the Lagos Lagoon believed to be home to over 100,000 people. They alleged that houses were destroyed, some set ablaze with little or no notice, in certain cases while occupants were still inside.
They further claimed that tear gas was deployed during the exercise, affecting women, children, and elderly residents, leaving several injured and hospitalised. The statement alleged that three people, including two newborn babies, have died. Those named among the deceased include a 70-year-old woman, Ms. Albertine Ojadikluno, and a five-day-old baby, Epiphany Kpenassou Adingban.
The organisations stated that more than 3,000 homes have reportedly been pulled down, displacing over 10,000 residents. They added that at least five schools, two health facilities, and several places of worship were also destroyed. Many displaced persons, including children, were said to be sleeping in canoes, boats, churches, school buildings, or in open spaces, exposing them to health and safety risks.
Executive Director of CAPPA, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the scale of the demolitions contradicts earlier assurances by officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Urban Development, who reportedly indicated that the exercise would be limited to structures located within a specific distance from power lines.
He noted that while the distance was initially stated as 50 metres and later revised to 100 metres, demolitions have since extended to areas such as Oko-Baba, which he said are not located under power lines, raising concerns about the true intent of the exercise.
Executive Director of CEE-HOPE, Ms. Betty Abah, said Makoko’s experience mirrors similar demolitions carried out across Lagos over the past year. She listed affected communities to include Oko-Baba, Ayetoro, Otumara, Baba-Ijora, Oworonshoki, and Precious Seeds, where she said tens of thousands of residents—mostly women and children—were displaced.
Abah added that in many instances, demolitions were allegedly conducted without adequate notice, consultation, alternative housing arrangements, or regard for pending court actions. She recalled earlier evictions in areas such as Badia East, Otodo-Gbame, Maroko, Monkey Village, Ilaje-Bariga, and Ifelodun, describing them as part of a long-standing pattern that has disrupted livelihoods and heightened vulnerability.
The groups described the Makoko demolitions as unconstitutional, alleging violations of Section 44 of the Nigerian Constitution, provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and international standards on forced evictions.
They called for an immediate suspension of all demolition activities in Makoko and other affected communities, the unconditional release of Aide and other detained residents, and an independent investigation into the reported deaths, use of force, and alleged human rights abuses.
They also demanded compensation, restitution, and resettlement for displaced residents, including the rebuilding of schools, clinics, and means of livelihood, while urging the state government to respect court processes, community engagement, and due process in urban development projects.
The organisations warned that pursuing urban renewal through force and displacement would worsen Lagos State’s housing deficit and undermine social stability, stressing the need for inclusive, rights-based, and sustainable development that prioritises human dignity over private profit.
