Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Residents of the coastal community of Ayetoro in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State staged a peaceful protest on Thursday, August 6, 2026, over the worsening incursion of the Atlantic Ocean and devastating flooding that they said has left more than 700 houses submerged, threatening the existence of the historic community. The protesters, who marched through the community carrying placards bearing inscriptions such as "Save Ayetoro Now," "700 Houses Are Now Under Water," and "Operation Save Ilaje Coastal Community From Extinction," lamented the continued destruction of homes, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure caused by persistent coastal erosion and flooding.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the residents issued a 30-day ultimatum to the Ondo State Government and the Federal Government to take concrete steps to address the worsening flooding and ocean incursion. They warned that failure to act within the deadline would compel them to escalate their peaceful demonstrations by shutting down activities across the area. "If the leaders of Ilaje refuse to respond to our concerns, we will have no choice but to intensify our peaceful actions," the protesters said. "After 30 days, we will peacefully shut down activities across the area until our voices are heard". The residents stressed that their action was not intended to create unrest but to draw urgent attention to what they described as an existential threat confronting their community.
According to the residents, the situation has reached a critical stage, with hundreds of families displaced as floodwaters continue to engulf residential buildings across the community. The protesters accused authorities of failing to provide lasting solutions despite years of repeated appeals over the environmental disaster threatening Ayetoro and other coastal settlements in Ilaje Local Government Area. They called on the Ondo State Government, the Federal Government, relevant environmental agencies, and intervention bodies to urgently implement sustainable shoreline protection measures and provide immediate relief for affected families. They warned that without swift intervention, Ayetoro — one of Nigeria's prominent coastal communities — could face further destruction as the advancing Atlantic Ocean continues to swallow homes and public infrastructure.
The residents maintained that the protest was aimed at compelling the authorities to act before the humanitarian and environmental crisis worsens, insisting that the survival of Ayetoro and other vulnerable coastal communities depends on immediate government intervention. The situation has become particularly critical in communities including Ayetoro and Abereke, where residents are increasingly confronted with displacement and the loss of their ancestral homes. Reports indicate that between 500 and 700 houses, including schools and health facilities, have been washed away, while over 80 percent of the town's original streets have disappeared under water. The communities are demanding urgent and effective intervention to halt further coastal erosion and sea incursions.
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