Environmental activist and Director of HOMEF, Oga Nnimmo Bassey, don call Lagos State Government make dem stop immediately the demolition wey dey happen for Makoko waterside, say the action na serious human rights abuse.
Bassey yarn this one on Tuesday when e waka go Makoko to sympathise with people wey lose their houses, including one family wey lose their five-days-old baby because of the demolition.
According to am, Makoko no be today-today community. “Makoko no just start yesterday. Na community wey don dey for generations and e dey play big role for Lagos life and economy,” he talk.
Bassey add say, “To destroy Makoko na shame for Lagos State and shame for Nigeria,” as e accuse government say dem dey work with private interests to chase people comot their homes without proper process or plan where dem go stay.
E also remind people about the 1990 Maroko demolition under military government, when over 300,000 people lose their homes, warn say wetin dey happen now fit repeat that painful history.
“To demolish community no be solution.
Government suppose protect people, no be to make dem homeless,” e talk.
Meanwhile, civil society groups — CEE-HOPE Nigeria, HOMEF, and CAPPA — don also condemn the demolition. Dem link am to reported deaths, plenty people wey lose their homes, and the arrest of one Makoko youth leader.
For their statement, the groups talk say two babies and one old woman don die since the demolition increase from January 5, 2026. Dem say over 3,000 houses don pull down, and more than 10,000 people don lose their homes.
Dem also express concern over the arrest of Mr. Oluwatobi Aide, one youth leader wey reportedly beg officials make dem give residents small time to carry their things before bulldozer enter.
Bassey condemn the action say, “Wetin dem dey do poor people for city be like wetin bandits dey do for some parts of Nigeria. Force eviction and land grabbing bad and e must stop.”
The groups accuse Lagos State Government say dem don pass the earlier agreement wey say demolition go only happen near power lines, as dem now dey destroy areas wey no get anything to do with power lines.
Dem demand make government stop the demolition now-now, release all arrested community members, investigate the deaths properly, and compensate and resettle all affected residents.
Dem warn say, “Urban development no fit happen with violence and suffering,” urge Lagos State Government make dem follow people-centred approach wey respect human dignity pass land grabbing.
