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Demolitions in Lagos lagoon settlement leave thousands homeless
Anna Sobie and her five children now sleep on the broken remnants of their wooden home in Makoko, a sprawling waterfront settlement in Lagos, after authorities demolished hundreds of structures in what residents call a forced eviction. Critics accuse the government of clearing prime land for development, while officials cite safety risks near high-voltage power lines.
Violent evictions spark outrage
Residents say demolitions began two days before Christmas, with armed police and bulldozers tearing down homes-some while families were still inside. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) reported that over 3,000 homes, schools, clinics, and churches were destroyed, displacing more than 10,000 people. Smoke from torched structures and damp wood fires hung over the lagoon as excavators continued razing stilted houses.
Sobie described the chaos: "The noise was very loud. When we came out, we saw the excavator." Her son's school was demolished the same day, leaving him without education. Like many children, he now scavenges firewood from debris to sell.
"We're sleeping in an open space under the rain, and they're currently setting properties ablaze. We don't have another place."
Anna Sobie, displaced resident
Government denies land-grab allegations
Lagos State officials insist the demolitions target structures built beneath power lines, posing electrocution risks. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu warned that unchecked expansion near the Third Mainland Bridge-Lagos's busiest-could lead to mass casualties. "No responsible government can allow people to live under high-tension cables," his adviser on urban development stated.
The governor pledged financial aid for affected families but denied accusations of gentrification. "We just pushed them back," he said, citing rapid shanty growth toward commercial districts.
However, real estate developers note Makoko's prime waterfront location. "Everywhere in Lagos is prime land," said Peacemaker Afolabi, fueling suspicions of elite-driven redevelopment.
Protests met with tear gas
Over 1,000 residents marched to the state legislature last week, demanding a meeting with the governor. Police fired tear gas, injuring at least one protester. Residents also reported tear gas used during demolitions, claiming five deaths, including children. The government denied knowledge of such incidents, promising investigations.
Community leaders were invited to a Tuesday meeting with lawmakers, though skepticism remains. "They have to identify everyone affected and make arrangements before homes are lost," said Megan Chapman of Justice and Empowerment Initiatives.
Centuries-old settlement faces uncertain future
Founded in the 19th century by fishing communities, Makoko's population ranges from 80,000 to 200,000. Residents assert customary rights to the lagoon, while the state claims ownership under federal law. Past demolitions, including a 2017 eviction halted by court order, highlight recurring tensions.
Elizabeth Kakisiwe, another displaced resident, described sleeping on damp ground with her children. "When I came back, my house was gone," she said. Rain has ruined belongings, and rats infest the debris. "Yesterday, we only drank garri. There is nothing to cook."
"The suffering is much. A lot of people have been dying. We just don't know what to say. It's only God that can help us."
Anna Sobie
Housing crisis deepens
Lagos's housing deficit has grown 15% since 2016, despite a 83% increase in supply. Rapid population growth and soaring rents push low-income families into informal settlements like Makoko. NGOs allege a "sinister agenda" to clear land for private developments, displacing the urban poor.
As excavators work, canoe traders navigate the lagoon's narrow channels, selling fish and goods. But many have lost their livelihoods. "When people are removed like this, it affects livelihoods, family structures, and communities," Chapman said.
For now, Sobie and others wait-under tarps or open skies-for a resolution that may never come.
