– Lagos Evictions Displace Over 10,000 Residents
– Civil Society Decries Illegal Demolitions
– Government Faces Backlash Over Forced Evictions
Over 10,000 residents of Ilaje Otumara and Baba Ijora in Lagos Mainland have been forcibly evicted following a demolition carried out by the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) on March 7, 2025. The exercise, conducted without prior notice, left many homeless, with reports of violence, looting, and destruction of properties. Civil society groups and residents strongly condemned the eviction, arguing it violated court orders and past agreements with the government. Prior to the demolition, affected residents had staged protests and engaged government officials, receiving assurances that no eviction would occur. Despite these assurances, the demolitions proceeded, forcing families to sleep in the open. Activists are now demanding accountability, urgent relief for displaced persons, and a more humane approach to urban development in Lagos.
