The Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEEHOPE) Nigeria, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), and Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) have strongly condemned the Lagos State Government’s ongoing demolition of homes at the Makoko waterfront.
They CSOs stated that the unlawful eviction has led to the deaths of two babies and an adult, widespread displacement, and the arrest of a community youth leader.
In a joint statement, the organisations described the demolitions as a continuation of disturbing pattern of disregard for the constitutional rights to life, dignity and wellbeing of marginalised urban communities.
At least three deaths have been reported so far, including a 70-year-old woman, Albertine Ojadikluno, and a five-day-old baby, Epiphany Kpenassou Adingban. The victims were said to have exhibited symptoms of respiratory distress.
The organisations further alleged that over 3,000 houses have been destroyed, displacing more than 10,000 residents. They added that five schools, two clinics and several places of worship were also demolished, leaving displaced families—many of them children—sleeping in boats, canoes, churches, school buildings or in the open.
The groups raised particular concern over the arrest and continued detention of Mr. Oluwatobi Aide, also known as Woli, a youth leader in Makoko. Aide was arrested on Monday by security operatives and is currently being held at Area F Police Station, Ikeja, after initially being taken to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) office in Alausa.
“Eyewitnesses reportedly said Aide approached demolition officials to plead for a brief pause to allow residents retrieve their belongings after the exercise extended beyond the initially communicated corridor around power lines. Rather than engage with the request, security agents allegedly arrested him,” they recounted.
The groups noted that Aide, who was tear-gassed during the demolitions and hospitalised last week, has since suffered a deterioration in his health while in custody.
Condemning both the demolitions and the arrest, HOMEF Director, Nnimmo Bassey, described the actions as violent attacks on vulnerable populations.
“We view these latest attacks on the urban poor as the most violent manifestations of Lagos State government’s contempt for people it treats as expendable,” Bassey said. “The forced displacement of families and the thuggish arrest of community members underscore the helplessness of struggling Nigerians. This campaign of land-grabbing and displacement is repugnant and must be halted.”
The groups stated that since January 5, 2026, armed security personnel, alleged thugs and demolition teams with bulldozers have repeatedly invaded Makoko, a historic fishing community on the Lagos Lagoon with an estimated population of over 100,000 people. They alleged that homes were set ablaze with little or no notice, in some cases while residents were still inside, and that tear gas was deployed against women, children and the elderly.
CAPPA’s Executive Director, Akinbode Oluwafemi, said the demolitions contradict earlier assurances by the Lagos State Ministry of Urban Development that the exercise would be limited to structures within 50 metres of power lines, later revised to 100 metres.
“Demolitions have extended to areas such as Oko-Baba, which are not under power lines at all, reinforcing fears that the true objective is the wholesale clearance of the Makoko community,” he said.
CEEHOPE Executive Director, Betty Abah, noted that Makoko’s experience reflects a wider pattern across Lagos State. She listed previous demolitions in communities such as Oko-Baba, Ayetoro, Otumara, Baba-Ijora, Oworonshoki and Precious Seeds, as well as earlier evictions in Badia East, Otodo-Gbame, Maroko, Ilaje-Bariga and other waterfront settlements.
“These demolitions are often carried out without notice, consultation, compensation or resettlement, and sometimes in defiance of pending court cases,” Abah said, adding that women and children bear the brunt of the resulting homelessness, hunger and insecurity.
The groups described the Makoko demolitions as unconstitutional, citing violations of Section 44 of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and international standards against forced evictions.
They demanded an immediate halt to all demolitions in Makoko and other affected communities; the unconditional release of Mr. Oluwatobi Aide and other detained residents; an independent investigation into the reported deaths and use of force; and adequate compensation, restitution and resettlement for displaced residents.
They also called on the Lagos State Government to respect court processes, ensure community consultation, and adopt rights-based and inclusive approaches to urban development.
“Urban development cannot be pursued through violence, fear and dispossession,” the statement concluded. “Clearing communities without humane alternatives only deepens Lagos’s housing crisis and undermines social stability.”