A pregnant woman lost her life after hemorrhaging when demolition activities in Lagos’s Makoko community prevented her from reaching medical care, according to human rights organizations and local leaders who spoke out Thursday.
The death was among multiple casualties and widespread displacement reported as the Lagos State Government conducted demolition operations throughout Makoko and other marginalized neighborhoods.
A coalition of advocacy groups—including Justice and Empowerment Initiatives, Spaces for Change, Coalition of Oworonshoki Demolition Victims, CEE-HOPE, and CAPPA alongside community representatives issued a joint statement condemning the actions. Titled “Systemic, Illegal, Cruel and Deceitful Forced Evictions: A Demand for Justice, Accountability and Resettlement for Makoko and Other Affected Communities,” the document characterized the demolitions as both unlawful and inhumane.
At Thursday’s forum organized by the coalition in Lagos, speakers described how the demolitions have resulted in preventable deaths, mass homelessness, and economic devastation.
Israel Idowu, Student Coordinator for Makoko Waterfront Community, argued the demolitions were neither unexpected nor unknown to authorities. He noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had previously discussed publicly transforming Makoko into a tourism hub and had recognized the area’s power infrastructure.
“This wasn’t accidental. The authorities were fully aware. The governor has discussed tourism plans for Makoko and acknowledged the power lines,” Idowu stated.
He recounted broken promises: “We received assurances the demolition would cease. Yet bulldozers returned. When we questioned this, we were told orders came from higher up.”
The human toll has been severe, Idowu explained. The pregnant woman experiencing complications required urgent hospital transfer for childbirth, but movement restrictions during the demolition resulted in her death.
Displaced residents now shelter in boats, canoes, religious buildings, and exposed areas, Idowu reported.
“Education has stopped for children. Fishing operations have halted. Small businesses that sustained families have been destroyed,” he said. He added that continuing lagoon sand-filling operations suggest motivations beyond safety, indicating planned developments that endanger the community’s existence.
Comrade Abiodun Ahmed, Chairman of Owode Motor Spare Parts Market, described how Owode Onirin demolitions eliminated years of accumulated livelihoods.
“Traders lost shops, inventory, vehicles—everything—in a single day. Decades-old businesses vanished,” Ahmed said.
He reported that security forces and government personnel attacked traders, with some facing arrest and vehicle confiscation.
Olanrewaju Olusegun, Secretary of the Coalition of Oworonshoki Demolition Victims, recounted similar experiences during 2023 demolitions in Oworonshoki.
“Operations occurred late at night while residents slept. Bulldozers demolished occupied homes. Complete chaos,” Olusegun said.
Numerous residents suffered injuries, arrest, or detention, while others simultaneously lost homes and income sources, he reported.
Civic activist Opeyemi Adamolekun demanded transparency regarding allegations that authorities compensated certain community leaders.
“If officials paid community leaders, they should publicly identify them. Secrecy breeds mistrust and division,” Adamolekun said.
The coalition earlier alleged at least 12 deaths, including two infants, specifically naming 70-year-old Albertine Ojadikluno and five-day-old Epiphany Kpenassou Adingban among victims.
The rights organizations characterized events across Makoko, Owode, and Oworonshoki as government-orchestrated displacement and land seizure.
Their demands include: immediate demolition cessation, emergency housing for displaced families, compensation for destroyed homes and businesses, accountability for deaths and abuses, and community-inclusive resettlement planning.
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