It is demolition season in Lagos, as the state government insists on clearing “illegal structures” disrupting the city’s landscape.
But in Oworonshoki, Kosofe LGA, residents accuse the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), and their monarch, Oba Babatunde Saliu, of colluding in a “midnight demolition spree” that has left thousands displaced.
They allege the exercise is part of a land-grabbing scheme aimed at forcing out low-income families to pave the way for elite property projects, taking advantage of the community’s closeness to Lagos Island and the Third Mainland Bridge.
On the night of Friday, September 6, 2025, bulldozers escorted by armed men stormed Oworonshoki under the cover of darkness. By dawn, homes built in the 1970s and 80s had been reduced to rubble. Residents stood helplessly as their decades-old memories crumbled.
For many, the demolition was more than loss of buildings—it was betrayal and erasure of a community that existed long before Lagos became a megacity.
Midnight Demolition Sparks Protest
By Monday, September 8, 2025, anger spilled onto the streets. Aggrieved residents blocked major access routes to the Third Mainland Bridge and Lagos Island, wielding placards with messages such as “We are Lagosians too,” “Stop land grabbing,” and “Where is our Oba?”
Children sat on the roads while parents shouted at motorists, some of whom joined in the chants. The protest paralyzed traffic for hours, leaving commuters stranded and businesses disrupted.
Residents insist the demolitions were carried out in collusion with LASBCA and their community leaders, describing the action as heartless and unjust. Many vow not to back down until their plight is addressed and compensation paid.
Accusations of Collusion
The role of Oba Babatunde Saliu has fueled tensions. Residents claim the monarch urged them to upgrade their homes to modern standards, advice they followed by investing in renovations. Shortly afterward, their houses were bulldozed.
Despite paying allocation fees, ground rents, and taxes for years, they were suddenly tagged “illegal occupants.” One resident lamented that they had been paying dues to the same authorities now pulling down their homes, calling it “land grabbing in official clothes.”
Government’s Defense
LASBCA and the Ministry of Physical Planning argue otherwise. Permanent Secretary Gbolahan Oki said due process was followed, noting that residents were engaged for three years and offered amnesty from May to December 2024.
He described many structures as unsafe, stressing that repainting or renovations could not remedy their condition. He also linked nearby shanties to criminal hideouts.
But residents insist statutory notices were not served, accusing the government of hiding behind development to pursue elite interests.
Stories of Loss and Displacement
From women with newborns to families with Certificates of Occupancy, residents shared stories of sudden eviction and destruction. Traders said their livelihoods were crushed overnight, with more than 10,000 households uprooted and economically stranded.
Segun Karounwi, speaking for the community, said the demolitions had left people in unbearable conditions, calling for affordable housing and immediate government intervention.
Displaced residents also demand compensation, transparency in demolition procedures, and accountability from leaders who misled them into spending on renovations before their homes were destroyed.
Wider Implications for Lagos
Oworonshoki’s ordeal is not isolated. Similar demolitions have taken place in Makoko and Badia, sparking debates over urban renewal, human dignity, and housing rights.
Urban planners argue modernization requires clearing unsafe structures, while rights advocates insist that displacing poor residents without alternatives violates international housing standards.
For Oworonshoki, the battle is not just about demolished homes but about trust and belonging. As one protester put it: “We are Lagosians too. Don’t treat us as strangers in our own home.”
