Residents of Oworonshoki, Lagos, took to the streets on Sunday to protest the weekend demolition of their homes by the state government.

Armed with placards and chanting slogans, the demonstrators voiced their anger and disappointment, pledging to “take back Oworonshoki,” according to a video obtained by SaharaReporters.

The Oworo Youths Forum (OYF) had earlier condemned the demolition, calling it a “crime against humanity.”

In a statement signed by OYF Secretary Opeyemi Ogunlami and Public Relations Officer Towolawi Jamiu, the group said the exercise began in the early hours of September 6, 2025

The group alleged that the demolition is part of a broader attack that has been ongoing for more than two years.

“The demolition exercise is a continuation of the attack on Oworoshoki that started in 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 outright!” it said

“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,” it said.

They further accused the government of seeking to displace poor residents for the benefit of the wealthy

The group alleged that plans were underway 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 billboards around Oworoshoki, Victoria Island, and Lekki with a minimum price of N120,000 per square metre or approximately N60M per plot,” it said.

Reiterating that housing is a fundamental human right, OYF called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately halt the exercise.

“Provide adequate compensation, including resettlement, for those whose properties have been demolished. Stop the wickedness of making Lagosians suddenly homeless,” the group said.

Meanwhile, defending the government’s action, Gbolahan Owodunni, Permanent Secretary in the Office of Urban Development, insisted residents had been given sufficient time to regularize their properties.

“We gave you all enough time, over three years. We even announced the need to visit the government for one year on Wazobia FM, we made the announcement in English and Yoruba, but none of you went,” he said while addressing residents on Saturday.

“Only one of you went and got approval. Now that the demolition has happened, you are shouting ‘Government, government.’ Some officials of the government came recently, and you bullied them. We are government officials, but we spent our money going to school.”

He said, “Some of you are still parading survey plan, but anybody, any nonentity can prepare a survey plan.

“We want development, but things should be done the right away. I know you will run to those NGOs but they have nothing to offer you. Is this how their own country is? Is this how America, London is, but they come here and start giving you false hope. If that’s how their country is, why do you all want to travel there?”

“They will only use you to collect money and promise to help you,” he said in the video seen by SaharaReporters.

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