Amnesty International has strongly condemned the violent forced evictions carried out by Lagos State authorities in the Oworonshoki communities on Tuesday, which community leaders say resulted in the deaths of a newborn and a five-year-old child.
Eyewitnesses reported that bulldozers destroyed homes while families were still inside, with some houses set ablaze. The chaos left several children missing, highlighting the extreme risks posed by the operation.
Amnesty International described the evictions as “ruthless” and part of a pattern of violence that has, since 2016, repeatedly displaced hundreds of families, destroyed livelihoods, and violated fundamental human rights.
“Lagos must be an inclusive city. A mega Lagos cannot come at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of communities already living in poverty, punished for decades of government urban planning failures,” the organization stated.
The human rights group called on the Lagos State Government to impose a moratorium on mass evictions, thoroughly investigate the use of violence during these operations, and provide effective remedies to all affected residents whose rights have been violated.
Amnesty International emphasized that repeated violent evictions in Oworonshoki flagrantly disregard due process and the state’s obligations under international law, urging urgent action to prevent further loss of life and destruction of homes.
