Residents of Oworonshoki in Lagos State have taken to the streets, blocking the busy Third Mainland Bridge in protest against the demolition of their homes by the Lagos State Government.
The demonstrators, who described the protest as peaceful, said they resorted to the action to express their anger and frustration over what they termed “forceful eviction” and “unjust demolition” of their properties without adequate compensation or alternative housing.
According to eyewitnesses, scores of residents, including women and children, occupied parts of the bridge, chanting solidarity songs and holding placards with inscriptions such as “We need shelter, not demolition,” and “Government, stop displacing the poor.”
Traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge, which is one of the busiest routes linking the mainland to Lagos Island, was severely disrupted as vehicles were forced to a standstill. Many commuters were stranded for hours, while security operatives were deployed to the scene to prevent the protest from escalating.
Some of the affected residents accused the government of neglecting the plight of low-income communities while prioritizing urban development projects that favor the wealthy. They argued that demolitions without proper resettlement plans only worsen the housing crisis in Lagos, a city already battling with overcrowding and lack of affordable accommodation.
One of the protesters, a middle-aged man who gave his name as Kayode, said:
“We have lived here for decades. Our families, our livelihoods, our entire lives are here. The government came without warning and destroyed everything. Where do they expect us to go?”
The Lagos State Government has defended its demolition exercises in waterfront and informal settlements as part of ongoing urban renewal and efforts to combat environmental hazards. However, human rights groups and civil society organizations have consistently criticized such actions, arguing that they violate the rights of vulnerable citizens.
As of press time, negotiations were reportedly ongoing between community leaders and government representatives to address the situation, while security agencies tried to restore normalcy on the bridge.
The protest highlights the growing tension between urban development policies and the housing needs of low-income residents in Lagos, Africa’s most populous city.
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