There is tension in Oworonshoki as residents trooped out in large numbers to protest the demolition of houses by the Lagos State government.
The residents, while protesting, demanded an end to what they termed the unjust demolition of their homes.
The protest, which continued on Monday, had started on Sunday.
One of the affected residents noted that the state government asked homeowners to renovate their houses, but after they did so, the houses were demolished.
“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,” the resident said.
Another resident said that at least five people have died “because the government decided to act the way it did”.
Amid the protests, the chairman of Kosofe Local Government Area, Moyosore Ogunlewe, was booed by angry residents as he attempted to calm the situation.
On Sunday, the media reported that residents of Oworonshoki, Lagos, took to the streets to protest the demolition of their homes by the state government over the weekend.
Carrying placards and chanting protest songs, the demonstrators expressed deep disappointment at the government’s action. In a video obtained by SaharaReporters, they vowed to “take back Oworonshoki.”
On Saturday, it was reported that the Oworo Youths Forum (OYF) strongly condemned the demolition, describing it 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 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 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.
The OYF claimed the demolition was carried out at night, with security forces using teargas on residents.
It further accused the government of seeking 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,” it said.
The group alleged that plans were underway to convert Oworonshoki into an exclusive residential estate.
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.
“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 plans, 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?” he added.
“They will only use you to collect money and promise to help you,” he said in the video seen by the media.
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