Makoko Residents have Storm Lagos State House Of Assembly Over Mass Eviction and Demolition

Lagos Task Force Beat Man to Coma, Fired Tear Gas at Me” – Rhodes-Vivour Blasts Govt Over Ilasan Demolitions

Former Lagos governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has accused the Lagos State Government of lawlessness and violence over the demolition of homes at Ilasan, Jakande Estate, despite a court injunction. He said he personally witnessed Task Force operatives beat a resident into a coma, assault others and fire tear gas at him when he confronted them. Describing the action as land-grabbing, he criticised the reported ₦11.2 million compensation as inadequate and warned that demolitions for private development would deepen poverty and homelessness, calling for humane, inclusive urban development.

Dem Release Am At Last! Makoko Youth Leader, Oluwatobi Aide, Free After 3 Days for Police Hand Over Demolition Protest

Better news don land for Makoko as youth leader, Oluwatobi Aide, don finally regain him freedom after three days wey Lagos RRS lock am up. Dem release am around 7:03pm on Wednesday after people shout, activists raise alarm and senior lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) enter the matter.

Police arrest Aide on Sunday during protest against the demolition of houses for Makoko waterfront. People talk say dem carry am just because he talk say government don go beyond the 30-metre agreement wey dem first make with the community. Supporters believe say the arrest na to scare residents and stop anybody wey go talk again.

Activists say this kind arrest don dey happen for waterfront areas like Ajegunle and Oworoshoki. On Wednesday, police even carry am go mobile court for Oshodi, accuse am of “disturbing public peace,” but sources say the charges na setup and politically motivated.

While in custody, Aide health worry many people. He fall sick, dem rush am go hospital, and at first police even say make he pay for treatment himself. After pressure, dem agree pay and later free am. Makoko people say this one show say if Nigerians shout together, justice fit still happen.

BREAKING: Makoko Youth Leader, Oluwatobi Aide, Released After 3 Days in Lagos RRS Detention Over Demolition Protest

Oluwatobi Aide, a youth leader of the Makoko waterfront community, has been released after spending three days in detention by the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) over a protest against demolition activities.

Aide regained his freedom at about 7:03pm on Wednesday, following widespread public outcry and the intervention of prominent human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN).

The incident has renewed concerns over the handling of peaceful protests and the rights of marginalized communities in Lagos.

Question: Should citizens be detained for speaking out against demolitions that affect their livelihoods?

#Makoko #LagosState #HumanRights #NigeriaNews

Makoko Leader Oluwatobi Aide Dragged Court Side for Standing Against Demolition – Na So Lagos Gree?

Na serious gbege for Makoko waterfront as youth leader, Oluwatobi Aide, don appear for Lagos mobile court over protesting demolition of homes. Him dey face charges of “conduct likely to cause breach of public peace,” but sources talk say na politically-motivated and false allegations.

Oluwatobi Aide arrest happen on Sunday, January 11, during protest against government demolition wey extend pass agreed 30-metre setback. Since then, him don dey treated like criminal, and him health don dey suffer – hospitalisation don happen twice because of teargas inhalation and bad detention conditions.

Civil society groups don condemn the Lagos State Government, saying: “Shelter na human right. Nobody suppose dey arrested or killed for defending im house.” Legal action dey underway to free him, led by lawyer Joseph Opute.

Bauchi Traders Protest as Katagum Council Demolishes Dozens of Shops for Alleged Gas Station Project – “They Left Us With Nothing”

Traders in Bauchi State’s Katagum Local Government Area have expressed deep frustration and financial ruin after council authorities demolished dozens of market shops to make way for an alleged gas station project. Business owners, many of whom have operated in the market for years, say the demolition was carried out with little or no notice, leaving them with lost goods, destroyed property, and shattered livelihoods. “They left us with nothing,” said one displaced trader, lamenting the absence of compensation or alternative business space. The Katagum Council claims the demolition is part of a planned development initiative, asserting the need to improve infrastructure and attract investment. However, affected traders and civil society groups argue that the lack of engagement and the sudden enforcement have thrown families into hardship. Many have called on state government officials to intervene, provide fair compensation, and offer resettlement plans to help them restart their businesses. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between development projects and informal market economies in northern Nigeria.

Who Is Responsible for Oworonshoki’s Death Traps? How Exposed Electric Cables From Illegal Demolitions Killed a Lagos Teen After Oba-Ordered Evictions

How did a demolition exercise in Lagos turn into a deadly public hazard? And why were dangerous electric cables left exposed for months in a residential community?

Another teenager has been electrocuted in Oworonshoki, Lagos State, after coming into contact with live electricity wires abandoned following what residents describe as illegal demolitions ordered by the Oloworo of Oworonshoki Kingdom, Oba Saliu Babatunde. The incident, which occurred on Thursday, has intensified outrage over the failure to remove or secure exposed cables after buildings were pulled down late last year.

According to community members who spoke to SaharaReporters, the demolitions carried out in November 2025 left behind dangling electric wires and open power lines, effectively turning streets and former residential areas into death traps. Despite repeated complaints, the hazardous infrastructure was never cleared, ultimately leading to the fatal electrocution of a young resident. A photograph obtained at the scene reportedly shows the teenager lying lifeless on the ground.

This latest death adds to a series of traumatic events linked to the demolition exercise. On November 25, 2025, SaharaReporters documented how two young girls returned from school to find their home allegedly burned down during the operation. In a widely circulated video, the children—one still in school uniform—described how their house was destroyed while their parents were at work, with no opportunity to retrieve personal belongings.

Residents allege that police officers and local vigilantes known as “Madanwo” participated in the operation, acting on the monarch’s directives. Bystanders in the footage accused authorities of burning houses without notice, arresting residents during clashes, and ignoring claims that government had ordered a halt to forced demolitions in the area.

Now, the fatal electrocution has raised urgent questions:
Why were live electric cables left exposed for months?
Who bears responsibility for clearing dangerous infrastructure after demolitions?
And how many more lives must be lost before accountability is enforced?

Community members insist the tragedy was preventable, arguing that basic safety measures—such as disconnecting power lines or fencing off hazardous areas—could have saved lives. The incident highlights a broader pattern of urban displacement, alleged abuse of authority, and neglect of public safety, especially in low-income communities affected by forced evictions.

As families mourn the teenager’s death, residents continue to demand answers from traditional authorities, security agencies, and government officials. The Oworonshoki case has become a stark symbol of how demolition policies, when carried out without planning, oversight, or accountability, can turn vulnerable neighborhoods into deadly zones—raising a chilling question: is urban “development” in Lagos now coming at the cost of human life?

Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu Orders Demolition of GNI Building and Nearby Houses After Deadly Lagos Island Fire Kills Eight, Triggers Safety Concerns

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the demolition of the Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) building and some surrounding structures following the devastating fire outbreak that occurred on December 24 in the Balogun area of Lagos Island. The inferno claimed the lives of eight people—five of whom have been identified—while three victims remain unidentified, and at least thirteen people have been rescued so far.

Speaking during an on-site assessment, the governor declared the area unsafe, directing that all commercial and unauthorized activities around the GNI building must cease immediately. He explained that emergency responders are still carefully combing through the rubble to ensure no one remains trapped, particularly at the rear section of the collapsed structure.

Sanwo-Olu said a comprehensive structural assessment showed that the building was no longer stable, making demolition unavoidable, with some neighbouring buildings also marked for removal in the interest of public safety. He stressed that while the decision is difficult, protecting lives remains the government’s top priority.

The governor assured affected residents and business owners that the Lagos State Government would manage the recovery process responsibly and provide necessary support to families impacted by the tragedy. Meanwhile, investigations into the cause of the fire—which engulfed several floors of the 22-storey commercial building used largely for warehousing—are ongoing, as public concern continues over safety standards in densely populated commercial districts of Lagos Island.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Declares Annual Thanksgiving Day To Commemorate Igbo Survival Of Nigeria-Biafra Civil War

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has officially designated the last Sunday of every January as an annual thanksgiving day to commemorate the survival of the Igbo people during the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War of 1967–1970. The resolution was unanimously adopted during the group’s Imeobi meeting held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Enugu.

Announcing the decision, Ohanaeze’s Deputy President General, Prince Okechukwu Nwadinobi, explained that the thanksgiving day is meant to acknowledge what the organisation describes as divine intervention that spared the Igbo from total annihilation during the war. He stated that all Igbo people are encouraged to attend church services on the chosen day to express gratitude to God for preservation and survival amid the horrors of the conflict.

Nwadinobi noted that the leadership of Ohanaeze, under Senator Azuta Mbata, considered it necessary to institutionalise the annual thanksgiving, stressing that without God, the support of a few Nigerians, and intervention from the international community, the Biafran cause and the Igbo people might not have survived. He recalled that the war was marked by deliberate attempts to wipe out Biafra, making survival itself a profound historical milestone worthy of remembrance.

Beyond the thanksgiving initiative, Nwadinobi outlined several interventions undertaken by the current Ohanaeze leadership to safeguard Igbo interests nationwide. These include a high-level delegation to Lagos over the demolition of Igbo-owned businesses in Festac Town and the Trade Fair Complex, engagement with affected traders after the Mandilas Plaza fire incident, and the formation of professional teams to guide Igbo entrepreneurs on best business practices.

He also disclosed a new partnership between Ohanaeze and Otu Oka Iwu, a body of legal experts, aimed at providing free legal services to Ndigbo on issues affecting their welfare and rights.

In a goodwill message, former Archbishop of the Enugu Anglican Communion, Dr. Emmanuel Olisa Chukwu, welcomed the resolution, describing it as spiritually significant. Recounting his near-death experience during the war, including the Asaba genocide, the cleric said the decision resonated deeply with the Igbo people, whom he described as deeply religious and sustained by faith through decades of hardship.

Lagos Governor Sanwo-Olu Orders Demolition Of 25-Storey GNI House After Massive Fire Outbreak On Lagos Island

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the demolition of the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) House located on Martins Street, Lagos Island, following a devastating inferno that engulfed the building on Wednesday night. The directive was issued on Thursday during the governor’s on-the-spot assessment of the incident scene as firefighters continued efforts to fully extinguish the blaze.

According to Governor Sanwo-Olu, preliminary findings revealed that the high-rise building, originally constructed for office use, had been illegally converted into a warehouse where highly inflammable materials were stored across several floors. He explained that the misuse of the structure significantly worsened the fire, making firefighting operations extremely challenging despite the early arrival of emergency responders and deployment of aerial ladder equipment.

The fire reportedly started from the fourth and fifth floors before rapidly spreading to upper levels around 8:00 p.m., intensified by the combustible contents inside the building. Sanwo-Olu disclosed that a committee led by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, has been set up to determine the safest and fastest method to demolish the weakened structure within days, noting that parts of the building had already suffered partial collapse.

The governor confirmed that no fatalities were recorded, although between seven and ten people sustained injuries and were taken to hospitals by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA). He also warned residents and businesses against storing flammable materials in residential and office buildings, especially in crowded market areas, stressing that enforcement and fire safety advocacy would be intensified during the dry harmattan season.

Meanwhile, officials of the Federal Fire Service stated that firefighting efforts were complicated by the close proximity of surrounding buildings and uncertainty over the contents of the affected structure. Over ten nearby buildings were impacted by the fire, with at least two severely damaged. Emergency agencies including the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASEMA, Nigeria Police Force, FRSC, Federal Fire Service and LASTMA remain on ground managing the situation.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Defies Court Order, Demolishes Abuja Property as Policemen Allegedly Sell Off Salvaged Materials

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been accused of flouting a subsisting court order after officials of the FCT Development Control, backed by heavily armed police officers, demolished a property belonging to Most Realty and Investment Limited in Kukwaba District, Abuja. The demolition reportedly occurred despite formal court papers restraining any action on the disputed land, which has been under litigation since November 2025. Following the exercise, police officers allegedly returned to the site with scavengers to sell off iron rods and other materials from the destroyed structures, raising concerns of abuse of power and possible land reallocation. The property owner insists all statutory fees were paid and says the matter remains pending before the High Court of the FCT.

Ebonyi Community Alleges Former Gov. Umahi Orchestrated Demolitions, Land Seizures

Residents of Umuchima community in Ebonyi State accuse former Governor and current Minister of Works, David Umahi, of orchestrating forced demolitions of homes, ancestral compounds, and farmlands since 2015. Alleged demolitions have reportedly caused deaths, psychological trauma, and displacement. Community leaders are calling on both state and federal governments to intervene, investigate, and protect the affected families.


#EbonyiCommunity #LandDemolitions #DavidUmahi

Sowore Moves Freely In Lagos Despite Police ‘Wanted’ Notice

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore appeared publicly in Lagos on Wednesday, attending two major events despite being declared “wanted” by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, on November 3, 2025.

Where he appeared

1. NBA Ikeja Human Rights Day Event

He participated in a panel discussion on safety, security, and mass killings in Nigeria.

The event took place just a few meters from the Lagos State Police Command headquarters.



2. UNILAG – Gani Fawehinmi Integrity Award (HEDA)

Sowore attended and received a warm welcome from students and activists.




Why police declared him wanted

The police linked him to alleged disturbances during protests against the Oworonshoki demolitions, which many groups described as illegal and inhumane.

Legal response

Sowore has filed a ₦500 million fundamental rights lawsuit against:

The Nigeria Police Force

IGP Kayode Egbetokun

CP Moshood Jimoh


He argues:

He was declared wanted without any invitation, warrant, or charges.

His rights to dignity, liberty, and movement were violated.

He has never been contacted legally and would have honoured any lawful invitation.


He is seeking:

Permission for substituted service of court processes

An interim injunction stopping the police from arresting, harassing, or declaring him wanted

A stay on the “wanted person” declaration


Public reaction

#Humanrightsgroupssaythepolicedeclaration

#Unlawful

#Vindictive

#Politicallymotivated

Soyinka Slams ‘Private Battalion’ Escorting Tinubu’s Son, Warns of Dangerous Misuse of Security Forces

Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka has sparked nationwide debate after criticising the massive security convoy assigned to President Tinubu’s son, Seyi, describing it as large enough to “crush” the recent coup attempt in Benin Republic. Speaking at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism Awards in Lagos, he condemned the concentration of heavily armed operatives around one individual while Nigeria battles widespread insecurity. Soyinka warned that the misallocation of security resources highlights distorted national priorities and threatens public safety. He also criticised Nigeria’s involvement in Benin’s failed coup, warned about the dangers of misinformation, and condemned ongoing demolitions in Lagos. As public scrutiny intensifies, the Presidency has yet to respond.

YRC Mobilises Nigerians for December 10 Protest, Demands Release of #EndBadGovernance Activists

The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has urged Nigerians nationwide to join the December 10 protest marking World Human Rights Day, organised by the #EndBadGovernance Movement. The group warned that Nigeria is “on the brink” due to worsening repression, rights violations, and the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act to target critics under the Tinubu administration.

YRC is demanding the dismissal of treason and terrorism charges against 11 detained protesters arrested in 2024, accusing the government of delaying their trial to silence dissent. The group also highlighted ongoing persecution of activists, workers, students, and journalists, as well as widespread demolitions displacing poor communities. YRC says the protest aims to build a united resistance against anti-poor policies and systemic abuses.

Lagos Activist Shinene Alleges Abduction Plot By Monarch, Police Over Oworonshoki Anti-Demolition Campaign

Lagos activist Ishola Rauf Shina (Shinene) has accused the Oba of Oworonshoki, senior police officials, and local security operatives of plotting to abduct and silence him over his resistance to ongoing demolitions in the community. He claims he is being trailed and threatened for leading a peaceful, lawful campaign defending displaced indigenous residents. Shinene has called on Governor Sanwo-Olu, civil society groups, and international bodies to intervene, warning that any harm to him or other organisers would be an attack on Nigeria’s democratic freedoms.

Adamawa Government Issues 21-Day Demolition Notice on Properties Linked to Ex-Governor Bindo Supporters, Triggers Public Outrage

A major controversy has erupted in Yola after the Adamawa State Government issued a 21-day demolition notice to owners of multi-billion-naira commercial properties allegedly linked to supporters of former Governor Umar Jibrilla Bindo. The notice, released by the Adamawa State Urban and Regional Development Board (ASURB) on November 1, 2025, orders occupants to vacate the buildings without offering compensation or alternative arrangements.

The targeted structures—located along Atiku Abubakar Way, Gimba Road, Forestry axis, and Hospital Road—were originally allocated during Bindo’s administration. Affected shop owners and developers accuse the Fintiri-led government of political persecution, intimidation, and economic sabotage. Many expressed shock, noting that they invested life savings and bank loans into the properties. Traders warn that demolitions would destroy livelihoods and displace employees, fueling tension and accusations of a broader political witch-hunt.
#Adamawa demolition notice #Bindo supporters properties

15-Year-Old Girl Dies Amid Violent Demolitions By Lagos Govt In Oworonshoki

Take It Back Movement Condemns Arson, Arrests In ‘Violent And Unlawful’ Oworonshoki Demolitions, Evictions

WATCH: Children Wail After Lagos Government Burnt Their House During Illegal Demolition Exercise At Oworonshoki