Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Human Rights Civil Society Watch of Nigeria has issued a strongly worded condemnation of ongoing demolition exercises in Lagos State, accusing the state government of violating constitutional protections, disregarding court orders and inflicting severe humanitarian harm on vulnerable communities. In a statement released from Abuja and Lagos, the organisation warned that the manner and scale of the demolitions threaten the rule of law and deepen social injustice in Nigeria’s most populous state.
The group said it had received consistent reports from civil society partners, community leaders and independent monitors indicating that several waterfront and low-income settlements have been affected by recent demolition drives. Among the communities cited were Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, Otumara and Baba-Ijora. According to the organisation, the demolitions have resulted in widespread displacement, destruction of homes and livelihoods, and an emerging humanitarian crisis that has yet to receive an adequate official response.
Human Rights Civil Society Watch of Nigeria alleged that at least twelve people have lost their lives in connection with the demolitions, while thousands of residents have been rendered homeless. Families were said to have been forced to flee with little or no notice, leaving behind personal belongings, small businesses and community infrastructure built over decades. The group described scenes of women, children and elderly residents seeking temporary shelter in churches, schools, boats and open spaces, often under unsafe and degrading conditions.
Central to the organisation’s criticism is the claim that some of the demolitions were carried out in spite of subsisting court orders restraining such actions. It argued that judicial injunctions issued by both the Federal High Court and the Lagos State High Court had placed clear legal limits on demolition activities in certain affected areas, pending proper legal processes. Proceeding with demolitions under these circumstances, the group said, represents not only a violation of individual rights but a direct challenge to judicial authority.
The statement also raised concerns over reports of the use of force against residents and protesters. It alleged that law enforcement agents deployed teargas during protests by community members who were demanding accountability, consultation and respect for their rights. If confirmed, such actions would constitute a disproportionate response to peaceful civic engagement and further aggravate the human rights implications of the demolitions, the group said.
At the heart of the organisation’s argument is Nigeria’s constitutional framework. The group emphasised that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees citizens the right to acquire and own property, as well as the right to fair hearing and due process before any deprivation of property can lawfully occur. These protections, it stressed, are binding on all levels of government and cannot be set aside by executive discretion or policy priorities.
Human Rights Civil Society Watch of Nigeria questioned the legal basis upon which the Lagos State Government, under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, could proceed with demolition exercises that appear to disregard constitutional safeguards and court rulings. In a constitutional democracy, it argued, executive power is circumscribed by law and subject to judicial oversight. Any perception that a governor or public authority can act above the courts risks undermining democratic institutions and weakening public confidence in governance.
While acknowledging the pressures of rapid urbanisation and population growth in Lagos, the organisation cautioned that development and urban renewal cannot be pursued at the expense of human dignity. It argued that sustainable urban planning must be inclusive and rights-respecting, particularly in a city where millions depend on informal settlements and waterfront communities for housing and economic survival.
The group called for an immediate halt to all demolition activities across the state until there is full compliance with existing court orders and transparent due process. It further urged the government to prioritise dialogue with affected communities and to adopt development strategies that recognise the social and economic realities of low-income residents rather than treating them as obstacles to progress.
Compensation and resettlement featured prominently in the organisation’s demands. It said individuals and families who have lost homes, businesses and sources of livelihood are entitled to comprehensive restitution. This, it argued, should include adequate compensation for destroyed property, support for lost income, and the provision of safe and dignified temporary and permanent housing developed through genuine consultation with those affected.
In addition, the group called for an independent human rights audit to investigate the reported deaths, injuries, displacement and alleged abuses linked to the demolition exercises. Such an inquiry, it said, should be transparent, its findings made public, and any officials or agents found to have acted unlawfully held accountable in accordance with the law.
The statement concluded with a broader appeal to democratic institutions and civil society. Human Rights Civil Society Watch of Nigeria urged the judiciary, the legislature, national human rights bodies and advocacy groups to act collectively in defence of constitutionalism and the rule of law. Protecting the rights of vulnerable citizens, it said, is a shared responsibility that goes to the core of Nigeria’s democratic project.
As debates over urban renewal and housing continue in Lagos, the allegations raised by the organisation are likely to intensify scrutiny of government policy and practice. Whether through the courts, legislative oversight or public engagement, the unfolding situation underscores the enduring tension between development ambitions and the constitutional obligation to safeguard the rights and dignity of all citizens.
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