Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Lagos State Government to immediately halt the ongoing forced evictions in Oworonshoki, describing the demolitions as violent and inhumane.
In a statement issued on Monday, the human rights organisation alleged that some homes were torn down by bulldozers while families were still inside, forcing many residents to flee amid chaos and panic.
Amnesty International further claimed that security operatives fired tear gas canisters during the exercise, scattering hundreds of families and leaving many displaced without shelter.
“The Lagos State Government must halt these attacks on people living in poverty. Punishing people because of their social status for the state’s urban planning failures is unacceptable,” the organisation stated.
The group urged the authorities to adopt a human rights–based approach to urban renewal and ensure that affected residents are adequately consulted, compensated, and resettled in line with Nigeria’s obligations under international law.
