The Nation Newspaper

Tag: demolitions

  • Rights group demands halt to demolitions in Lagos State

    Rights group demands halt to demolitions in Lagos State

    A coalition of human rights, environmental and social justice organisations has called for the immediate halt to ongoing demolition in several communities across the state.

    The coalition also called on the state government to comply with court orders and provide emergency shelter, compensation for affected residents.

    The coalition staged a protest at the Lagos House of Assembly, Ikeja where they made their requests known. However, there was no lawmaker available to address them.

    The police took charge and dispersed them to avoid breakdown of law and order.

    In a joint statement, the groups accused the government of carrying out demolitions and displacements in communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, Otumara and Baba-Ijora, without adequate notice, consultation, compensation or resettlement plans.

    The statement was jointly signed by Israel Idowu, Student Coordinator of the Makoko Waterfront Community; Comrade Abiodun Ahmed, Chairman of Owode Motor Spare Parts Market; Comrade Tunde Yusuf, Secretary of the Ajegunle Peoples Movement (APM); Olanrewaju Olusegun, Secretary of the Coalition of Oworonshoki Demolition Victims; Betty Abah, Founder of the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE); Comrade Alex Omotehinse, President of the Center for Human and Social Economic Rights (CHSR); Zikora Ibeh, Assistant Executive Director of Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA); Prince Iwamitighi R. Irowainu, President of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide; Opeyemi Adamolekun, an active citizen; and Comrade Hassan Taiwo Soweto, a member of the #EndBadGovernance Movement in Lagos State.

    The organisations alleged that the demolitions disproportionately affected low-income residents such as fishermen, traders, women, and children, the elderly and persons with disabilities, and accused the state of prioritising private development interests over the welfare of vulnerable citizens.

    Read Also: Rights groups condemn demolitions, demand justice for residents of Makoko, others

    According to the statement, the forced evictions are part of a long-standing pattern, citing previous demolitions in Otodo Gbame (2016–2017), Oworonshoki (2023), Orisunmibare (February 2024), Otto (March 2024) and Oko-Baba (September 2024).

    The groups recalled that in March 2025, demolitions in Ilaje-Otumara and Baba-Ijora reportedly displaced over 10,000 residents, destroying homes, businesses and places of worship, and leaving many without shelter or livelihoods.

    They also alleged that demolitions in Oworonshoki in October 2025 were carried out at night despite a subsisting court injunction restraining the Lagos State Government and its agencies from proceeding with the exercise, resulting in the displacement of more than 10,000 people.

    On Makoko, the organisations said demolitions began on December 23, 2025, affecting over 3,000 homes and displacing more than 10,000 residents, with schools, clinics and places of worship also destroyed.

    The Lagos State Government, according to the statement, justified the demolitions on safety grounds related to proximity to power lines, a claim the groups disputed.

  • The costly cycle of demolitions

    The costly cycle of demolitions

    Sir: Across major Nigerian cities, a recurring and painful drama unfolds: the roar of bulldozers tearing down completed, and often inhabited, structures. The official reason is consistent and non-negotiable: lack of statutory building approval plans. While state governments, notably in Lagos and Abuja, defend these actions as necessary for urban renewal, public safety, and adherence to master plans, the practice has sparked a debate over efficiency, accountability, and justice.

    The demolition of standing structures, sometimes with families or businesses already in place, represents a colossal failure of governance that should have been prevented.

    The fundamental question many Nigerians ask is: How can a structure of such magnitude, often a multi-storey building representing a huge financial investment, proceed without a building permit?

    For developers who invest millions in a project reaching its fifth floor, the idea that they simply forgot to seek approval is often implausible. The reality is frequently one of two scenarios: firstly, the developer knows their project violates zoning laws (e.g., building on a drainage path, a road setback, or a high-tension power line corridor) and understands a legitimate permit is impossible to obtain. They choose to bypass the law entirely. Secondly, the developer sought approval but encountered an overly bureaucratic, slow, and opaque process. They may have been approached by unscrupulous personnel in the Ministry who collected the money meant for approval but issued fake documents or promised protection for illicit construction.

    In either case, the financial risk taken is enormous, yet the complicity of government officials is the engine that allows the dangerous gamble to succeed temporarily. For a storey building at the centre of the city to reach the third, fourth, or even fifth floor, what was the government looking at from the ground level? For buildings that take four to five years or more to complete, the government’s sudden intervention is a textbook case of campaign after election.

    This phenomenon highlights the irresponsibility and wickedness on the part of the government.

    Government has enormous capacity to enforce urban and physical planning laws and regulations against incipient criminal trespass to land. There is no credit for waiting until buildings are completed before demolishing them!

    Monitoring agencies, such as the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) or the FCT Development Control Department, are legally mandated to conduct regular site inspections and issue immediate stop-work orders and seals at the foundation stage of any unapproved building. Their failure to act for years is a fundamental breakdown of duty.

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    To allow a building, possibly a family’s home, to become habitable only to then demolish it, is viewed as an act of wickedness and economic waste. This is especially galling when the government arrives with media coverage on the day of demolition, seemingly taking pride in the act it should have prevented.

    The cycle of construction and demolition cannot continue if Nigeria is to achieve planned, sustainable urban development. Demolishing the structures is only half the solution; the other half is bringing the corrupt system to book.

    True justice demands that the focus be shifted from the vulnerable structure to the system that enabled it.

    Every demolition must trigger an immediate internal and criminal investigation. The specific officers who were meant to inspect, monitor, and enforce compliance—from the issuance of potential fake documents to the failure to issue stop-work orders at the foundation stage—must be identified and prosecuted. This action is the only way to break the dangerous cycle of impunity.

    Governments must embrace technology to streamline the approval process and reduce human interface, which is the primary source of corruption. A fully digital approval and inspection system would create an uncompromised audit trail for every building project, ensuring that illegal construction is flagged before it gets past the ground floor.

    True governance is not measured by the speed of its bulldozers, but by its effectiveness in preventing illegal construction from ever beginning.

    Obadiya John,obadiyajohn@yahoo.com

  • Residents decry illegal demolitions

    Residents decry illegal demolitions

    Residents of FESTAC Town in Lagos Statehave accused officials of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) of demolition  despite an order.

    Through their lawyer, Adetayo Bello, they urged Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to halt further demolitions in Sixth Avenue.

    The residents said Justice O.J. Awope of Lagos State High Court in Ikeja restrained FHA on September 11, 2023.

    The injunction barred the authority and its agents from demolishing buildings in FESTAC Town’s Sixth Avenue or other areas pending resolution of the substantive suit.

    They alleged despite the order, officials resumed demolitions, causing damage to property and distress to residents.

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    “This represents a contempt of court and an abuse of power that can endanger public peace,” the petition reads.

    Residents are urging the police to probe the officials concerned for contempt of court.

    They demand measures to prevent further demolitions and ensure their protection.

    According to them, FHA’s actions undermine public confidence in the judiciary and violate rights of property owners in FESTAC Town.

    The residents expressed hope that the IGP would intervene decisively to uphold justice and restore stability to the community.

  • Of demolitions without compensation

    Of demolitions without compensation

    • By Samuel Jekeli

    Sir: In the sprawling urban landscapes of Nigeria, where progress often clashes with the rights of its citizens, a pervasive issue plagues the lives of countless individuals – demolitions without compensation. While development is essential for the growth of any nation, the pains inflicted on citizens who fall victim to these demolitions without adequate compensation are often overlooked.

    Demolitions without compensation have become synonymous with displacement, loss, and despair. Families who have called a place home for generations suddenly find themselves on the streets, watching helplessly as bulldozers reduce their homes to rubble. These demolitions, often carried out in the name of urban development or infrastructure projects, disregard the basic human right to shelter.

    The immediate consequences are devastating. Families are left without shelter, belongings, and, in many cases, any means of livelihood. Children are forced to abandon their schools, disrupting their education and jeopardizing their future. The elderly, who should be enjoying the fruits of their labour in the comfort of their homes, are left vulnerable and destitute. The toll on mental health is immeasurable, as the trauma of losing one’s home and security can have long-lasting effects.

    One of the fundamental issues exacerbating the problem is the lack of a comprehensive legal framework to protect the rights of citizens facing demolition. While some legal provisions exist, their enforcement is often lax, and loopholes allow abuse. In many cases, citizens are not adequately informed about impending demolitions or are given insufficient time to make alternative arrangements.

    Compensation, when promised, is frequently inadequate and fails to cover the full extent of the loss. The bureaucratic hurdles in claiming compensation further contributes to the agony of those affected. The absence of an efficient and transparent system for compensation leaves citizens at the mercy of unscrupulous practices and amplifies the injustice they face.

    Beyond the immediate personal suffering, demolitions without compensation have far-reaching economic consequences. Small businesses, often the backbone of local economies, are decimated. Markets, shops, and enterprises that were once thriving hubs of economic activity are reduced to debris, leaving business owners without income and employees without jobs.

    The ripple effect extends to the broader community as well. The loss of economic stability in one area can contribute to a cycle of poverty, creating a domino effect that hampers the overall development of the region. The lack of foresight in urban planning and the failure to consider the socio-economic impact of demolitions perpetuate a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.

    Read Also: 2024 budget: Katsina govt allocates 20% to water, education sectors – Commissioner

    Addressing the pains caused by demolitions without compensation requires a multi-faceted approach. First and foremost, there is an urgent need for a robust legal framework that safeguards the rights of citizens facing demolition. This framework should ensure proper notification, adequate compensation, and a transparent process for citizens to claim entitlements.

    Government agencies responsible for urban development must prioritize community engagement and consult with affected citizens before embarking on demolition projects. This proactive approach can help identify alternative solutions that minimize the impact on residents and their livelihoods.

    Civil society organizations and the media play a crucial role in amplifying the voices of those affected and holding authorities accountable. By raising awareness about the consequences of demolitions without compensation, these entities can build public pressure for policy reforms and better enforcement of existing regulations.

    Demolitions without compensation are not just about physical structures being razed; they represent the dismantling of lives, dreams, and communities. The pains inflicted on citizens who fall victim to these demolitions are a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms and ethical urban planning. As Nigeria strives for progress, it is crucial to ensure that the journey includes the well-being and dignity of every citizen, leaving no one behind in the shadows of development

    •Samuel Jekeli,

    Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.