Spaces for Change|S4C condemns in totality the demolition and burning of homes, a school and a church in an underserved community behind the Jakande Housing Estate in Lekki, Lagos State on the 11th of March, 2024, by the Lagos State Task Force comprised of Lagos State Building Control Agency and Ministry of Environment and Water Resources. The wanton demolition of properties worth millions of naira has left hundreds of people, mostly women and children, helpless and exposed to weather elements, without humanitarian and medical aid.

The demolition which began by 9am of 11th of March, when most residents had gone out for their legitimate businesses, is alleged to be in response to the government’s “coastal alignment” efforts and poor sanitation concerns in the community. However, preliminary findings at the demolition site places these assertionsbeside the truth. There was no evidence of drainage blocking nor was the community the closet settlement to the sea. Evidently, there are other highbrow settlement closer to the sea, which were not considered for this demolition.

This callous demolition violates their fundamental human rights of ownership of private property and human dignity; as protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. It is almost impossible not to think of this demolition as a case of the government wielding its coercive powers against the poor, marginalized and most vulnerable citizens. To say the least, this demolition is a demonstration of the deep insensitivity of the government to the current harsh economic realities in the country.

We therefore call on the Government of Lagos State to take immediate steps to pay compensations and provide adequate succor in the form of medical and humanitarian assistance to these victims to cushion their respective losses. We also demand that steps should be taken to ensure that this daylight display of gross injustice, insensitivity and inhumanity does not go unchecked.