The demonstrations, which began on Sunday, continued into Monday with larger crowds trooping out in defiance of what they described as the unjust demolition of their homes.
Residents of Oworonshoki affected by the demolition of their houses by the Lagos State government have extended their protests to the Third Mainland Bridge.
The demonstrations, which began on Sunday, continued into Monday with larger crowds trooping out in defiance of what they described as the unjust demolition of their homes.
The protesters blocked vehicular movements from the Lagos Island to Mainland as of the the time of filing this report.
Earlier on Monday, tension had already mounted in Oworonshoki as residents staged protests across the community. While carrying placards and chanting protest songs, they demanded an immediate end to the demolition exercise.
One of the affected residents recalled that the government had previously instructed homeowners to renovate their properties, only to demolish them afterward.
“The government asked us to renovate our homes and many people did so, some even sold properties to ensure that they obey the order but they still came in the middle of the night for demolition exercise.”
Another resident alleged that lives had already been lost as a result of the government’s actions.
“At least five persons have died because the government decided to act the way they did.”
Amid the demonstrations, the chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Moyosore Ogunlewe, was booed by angry residents as he attempted to calm the situation.
On Saturday, SaharaReporters reported that the Oworo Youths Forum (OYF) condemned the demolitions, describing them as a “crime against humanity.” According to a statement signed by OYF Secretary Opeyemi Ogunlami and Public Relations Officer Towolawi Jamiu, the exercise began in the early hours of September 6, 2025.
“The Oworo Youths Forum (OYF) is concerned about the distress call we got this morning around 1am Friday September 6, 2025, about houses being demolished and our people rendered homeless in Oworoshoki, Kosofe Local Government of Lagos State.”
The group alleged that the demolition was part of a broader attack that had been ongoing for more than two years.
“The demolition exercise is a continuation of attack on Oworoshoki that started since July 2023 where over 1,000 homes have been destroyed and over 30,000 people rendered homeless including women and children. We condemn this barbaric act outrightly.”
The OYF further claimed that the operation was carried out at night with security forces using teargas on residents.
“We know that the ruling APC Government in Lagos is wicked and heartless but never knew they can be inhumane to the point of destroying working people’s homes in the middle of the night while they are sleeping including firing teargas cannisters at those who are trying to take pictures and videos.”
According to the group, the demolitions were intended to displace poor residents for the benefit of the wealthy.
“This illegal demolition is part of the large scale plan to grab land from the poor and sell it to the wealthy ruling class.”
They alleged that there were already plans to convert Oworonshoki into an exclusive residential estate.
“There is an ongoing plan to turn Oworoshoki to Elite Villa Estate and this is being advertised on Bill boards around Oworoshoki, Victoria Island and Lekki with minimum price of N120,000 per square metre or approximately N60M per plot.”
Reiterating that housing is a fundamental human right, the OYF demanded that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu intervene immediately.
“Order the immediate STOP to all demolition exercises in Oworoshoki. Prosecute those behind this crime against humanity.”
“Provide adequate compensation including resettlement for those whose properties have been demolished. Stop the wickedness of making Lagosians suddenly homeless.”
