Lagos demolitions displaced 50,000, destroyed 5,000 homes – Amnesty International

Amnesty International has accused the Lagos State Government of displacing about 50,000 residents and destroying 5,000 homes in Makoko between December 2025 and January 2026 during forced demolition exercises.

The organisation also alleged that demolition exercises in Makoko, Oworonshoki and Mile 12 had resulted in deaths, the destruction of schools and healthcare facilities, and the loss of livelihoods among residents.

Amnesty International disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, citing research conducted between October 12 and 16, 2026, which documented what it described as continued forced evictions in the affected communities.

The organisation said residents were displaced and their homes demolished without adequate notice, genuine consultation or alternative accommodation.

It also alleged that police officers worked alongside thugs to unleash violence during some of the operations.

The Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the Lagos State Government had been carrying out forced evictions since March 2016 as part of its urban development plans.

“Since March 2016, Lagos State has been carrying out forced evictions that are clearly aimed at excluding people living in poverty in the process of building what is called a mega Lagos. These are carried out without consultation, adequate notice, or alternative housing,” he said.

Sanusi described the findings of the organisation’s latest investigation as evidence of disregard for due process, alleging that some families had their homes demolished while they were still asleep.

The organisation further alleged that the latest demolition operations destroyed 42 schools, 20 healthcare clinics and places of worship, while residents reported that at least 12 people died in circumstances connected to the exercises, including deaths allegedly linked to tear gas exposure and structural collapse.

In Oworonshoki’s Mosafejo and Idiaraba communities, residents reportedly linked more than 30 deaths to trauma, medical neglect and exposure following the demolitions.

Amnesty International also said the operations destroyed more than 30 private schools, over 25 churches and 10 mosques in the communities.

In Mile 12, residents separately reported that more than 250 houses had been demolished in one area, leaving families homeless without adequate notice, compensation or alternative accommodation.

The organisation added that at least 14 residents were reportedly arrested and detained for about a month following protests against the demolitions in Oworonshoki.

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Sanusi said the demolitions had caused severe hardship for affected families, citing accounts of residents who lost loved ones and their means of livelihood.

A resident of one of the affected communities told Amnesty International, “I am the father of three children. Unfortunately, I lost two of my children in circumstances directly connected to the demolition. This has brought terrible pain and suffering to my family.”

The organisation said the demolitions had also disrupted access to essential services, particularly for children, pregnant women and older people.

It noted that families who depended on fishing in Makoko had lost their homes, boats, nets and engines, while displaced residents were struggling to access education, healthcare and adequate shelter.

Amnesty International said residents had initially been informed that the demolition exercise would be limited to buildings beneath high-tension electricity lines, but that the operations extended beyond the areas they expected to be affected.

The organisation further said residents had challenged the demolitions in court and obtained a Federal High Court judgment in July 2025 restraining the Lagos State Government from demolishing the community. However, it alleged that the demolitions continued despite the judgment.

Sanusi called on the state government to ensure that evictions complied with human rights standards and court orders, while providing affected families with adequate shelter, compensation where required and access to essential services.

He said, “The government of Lagos State is increasingly and deliberately failing to ensure that evictions comply with human rights standards and court orders, provide affected families with adequate shelter, compensation where required and access to essential services, and guarantee that people living in poverty are treated with dignity and are not arbitrarily rendered homeless, arrested or detained.”

Amnesty International called on the Lagos State Government to investigate recent and previous forced evictions, ensure accountability for alleged abuses and provide adequate remedies for affected residents.

The organisation urged the government to end practices that leave low-income residents homeless without genuine consultation, adequate prior notice, compensation or alternative accommodation.

When contacted on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, did not answer calls to his mobile phone.

He had also yet to respond to a WhatsApp message sent by our correspondent as of the time this report was filed.