…thousands of people facing fresh displacement
Local and international civil society organizations (CSOs) have accused the Lagos State government of carrying out violent and unlawful demolitions in Makoko and other coastal communities.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday and signed by Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa Environmental Rights Action Friends of the Earth Nigeria and Rafto Foundation for Human Rights, among others, the CSO called on the Lagos State Government to immediately stop all demolitions.
He warned that these actions were exacerbating the housing crisis in Lagos and leaving thousands of people homeless.
He alleged that armed teams razed homes, schools, clinics and places of worship, adding that tear gas and force were reportedly used against residents, including women, children and the elderly.
Also read: NGOs warn of humanitarian crisis as Lagos evicts Makoko Coast residents
The organizations said hundreds of families in Makoko alone were displaced within days.
“Many people are now sleeping in churches on boats and in open spaces along the Lagos lagoon,” he said.
Thousands of people from communities such as Oko Baba, Ayetoro, Otumara, Baba Ijora, Oworonshoki and Precious Seeds are said to have been displaced in a similar crackdown last year.
The statement said most of the demolitions were carried out without any notice, consultation or rehabilitation plan.
In many cases, houses were set on fire along with personal belongings, rights groups said, alleging that deaths had been recorded during previous evictions in Lagos coastal settlements.
Makoko has been described as a historic fishing community, estimated by civil society groups to have more than 100,000 inhabitants.
The sector supports livelihoods linked to fishing wood processing and informal trade which provide a significant portion of the Lagos food economy.
The organizations accused the government of ignoring court orders. He said many affected communities had cases pending to stop the demolition.
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These actions, he said, violate constitutional protections and international human rights obligations to which Nigeria is a signatory. Nigeria already faces an estimated housing deficit of more than 20 million units, according to industry and government data.
The groups warned that forced evictions were increasing losses while pushing low-income residents into poverty.
They also demanded respect for court orders, an independent investigation into reported abuses, and provision of compensation and alternative housing.
The groups urged authorities to adopt rights-based and environmentally sustainable urban planning, saying development should prioritize housing, security livelihoods and human dignity rather than forced displacement.
