Full Breakdown
Protests Erupt in Lagos Over Demolitions in Makoko Slum
1/28/2026, 10:28:54 PM
Overview of the Protests
On January 28, 2026, protests erupted in Lagos as residents of the Makoko slum demonstrated against ongoing demolition activities that have displaced thousands. The Lagos State government, supported by armed police and heavy machinery, has been demolishing homes in this densely populated floating community, citing safety concerns due to illegal construction near high-voltage power lines. The protests drew over 1,000 residents to the Lagos State House of Assembly, where tensions escalated when police deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Details of the Protests
The demonstrations began peacefully but turned chaotic around 1:30 PM when police began firing tear gas. Eyewitness accounts reported panic as protesters, workers, and passersby fled the scene. One protester sustained a leg injury and was hospitalized, while others reported difficulty breathing due to the gas. Protesters carried banners demanding the government halt the demolitions and protect their homes. Activists and local leaders, including former Labour Party gubernatorial candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, criticized the demolitions as a violation of residents' rights and called for more humane urban development practices.
Official Responses and Justifications
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu defended the demolitions, emphasizing public safety as the primary concern. He stated, “The safety of lives and property is paramount and must be safeguarded,” and noted that the government had been addressing these issues for over two years. Sanwo-Olu assured that palliative measures, including relocation options and grants, would be provided to affected residents. However, rights groups, such as the Foundation for Peace Professionals, condemned the demolitions as “inhumane and potentially destabilizing,” particularly affecting vulnerable populations like women and children.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the demolitions argue that the government's approach lacks adequate resettlement plans and fails to consider the livelihoods of residents. Rhodes-Vivour highlighted the need for “consultation and inclusive design” in urban renewal projects, advocating for alternatives that would allow residents to remain in their communities while improving living conditions. He stated, “Public power must never be used to serve private greed at the detriment of people who the governor is sworn to nurture and protect.”
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While reports indicate that one protester was injured during the police response, eyewitness accounts suggest that multiple injuries occurred, although exact figures remain unconfirmed. Additionally, there is no official data on the population of Makoko, with estimates ranging from 80,000 to 200,000 residents, highlighting the challenges in addressing the needs of this informal settlement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We were tear-gassed at Alausa. Look at this person, he left his house and now he has become disabled,” — Yawo Gburo, Protester
- “Women and children were the most affected. Urban development must not be pursued through shock enforcement. When planning intervention produces homelessness overnight, it ceases to be development and becomes displacement,” — Abdulrazaq Hamzat, Executive Director, Foundation for Peace Professionals
- “No matter what local government it is, because we all need each other. And in this case, we need justice for poor Makoko,” — Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Former Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate
The situation in Lagos remains tense as residents continue to voice their opposition to the demolitions, seeking justice and protection for their community.
