Chaos in Lagos as Protesters Tear-Gassed, Arrested Over Makoko, Oworonshoki Demolitions

Chaos in Lagos as Protesters Tear-Gassed, Arrested Over Makoko, Oworonshoki Demolitions

Lagos, Nigeria — January 28, 2026: Chaos erupted today as hundreds of residents and activists protesting against ongoing Makoko demolitions and forced evictions in low-income communities across Lagos were tear-gassed, injured, and arrested by security forces.

Demonstrators from Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, and other affected neighbourhoods marched from the bustling Ikeja Underbridge toward the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa, calling for an immediate halt to the demolitions, justice for displaced families, and urgent housing solutions. The protest was organised by civil society groups and community coalitions opposing what they describe as unplanned eviction and land grabbing by government authorities. (Reuters)

Tensions rose when the crowd, chanting slogans like “Homes not rubble”, “Stop forced evictions now” and “Makoko lives matter”, gathered outside the State Assembly gates. Police and members of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) fired tear gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators after warnings to vacate the area were ignored. Multiple protesters were hurt in the ensuing chaos, with at least one person reportedly hospitalised with a leg injury. (Reuters)

Several key protest organisers, including activist Hassan “Comrade Soweto” Taiwo Soweto, were taken into custody as security forces moved to break up the march. Rights advocates and independent observers said the arrests underscored a growing pattern of heavy-handed responses to public dissent over housing rights and urban policy. (Sahara Reporters)

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Calls for Accountability and Housing Justice

Protesters accused the Lagos State Government of carrying out demolitions without adequate notice, compensation or resettlement plans, leaving thousands of families homeless and vulnerable. Demonstrators and advocacy groups argue that communities like Makoko — a historic waterfront settlement home to tens of thousands of people — deserve participatory urban planning rather than displacement. (Politics Nigeria)

Banners displayed during the march emphasised community demands: “Demolition without resettlement is injustice,” “Where do you want the poor to go?” and “Lagos is for all, not the rich alone.” (Politics Nigeria)

Background to the Demolitions

Recent weeks have seen intensified demolition activity in Makoko and other waterfront settlements, part of what Lagos authorities describe as efforts to enforce safety setbacks around power lines and update urban infrastructure. Critics, however, say the operations have expanded beyond agreed limits and violated court orders restricting forced evictions without due process. (LN247)

Prior human rights reports and community statements have documented widespread displacement, destruction of homes, and the collapse of local businesses and services as bulldozers and enforcement teams move through these areas. Civil society groups have urged the government to halt demolitions and engage in negotiations, insisting that development should prioritise inclusive housing, dignity and community consent. (The Gazelle News)

With the situation still unfolding, community leaders have vowed to continue pressure on the government until their demands for fair compensation, humane resettlement plans, and respect for court orders are met. Legal advocates and international civil rights organisations are expected to monitor developments closely, raising concerns about potential violations of socio-economic rights tied to housing and displacement.

Chaos in Lagos as Protesters Tear-Gassed, Arrested Over Makoko, Oworonshoki Demolitions