Panic in Lagos as govt resumes demolition

Fear has gripped residents of Oworonshoki in Lagos State as bulldozers from the Lagos State Task Force returned to the Precious Seed Community on Saturday morning to resume demolition activities.

The renewed operation comes despite earlier assurances from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and the Oba of Oworonshoki that further demolitions would not take place.

According to reports, the exercise has sparked outrage and panic among locals still reeling from the last demolition, which destroyed more than 1,000 homes and left thousands displaced.

A resident who shared video evidence said, “Bulldozer together with the Lagos State Task Force stationed at Precious Seed Community in Oworoshoki now to continue ongoing demolition. TaskForce has just led a caterpillar that wants to begin another demolition again at Oworo this morning after both the Commissioner of Police and the Oba promised that nothing of such would happen again when the 3rd mainland bridge was shut down.”

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Another resident, speaking anonymously, lamented, “We were promised that it would stop, but here we are again, facing the same nightmare. The government and traditional leaders need to be held accountable for their actions.”

The Take-It-Back Movement and the Oworonshoki Demolition Victims’ Coalition have previously condemned the exercise, describing it as a violation of human rights and the rule of law. They have also called on the Lagos State Government to compensate and resettle displaced families.

The Oba of Oworonshoki had earlier maintained that those affected were illegal occupants, asserting that the land was government-acquired from his family. However, residents insist they have lived in the area peacefully for over six decades.

With tensions mounting, community leaders are urging the government to engage in open dialogue and provide clarity on the future of the affected residents.