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The Lagos State Government (LASG) on Monday held a media update to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the demolition of structures in the Makoko waterfront community, emphasizing safety concerns and announcing a $2 million redevelopment plan to support affected residents. NaijaChoice News report.

The briefing, which took place at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, featured key officials including representatives from the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, who defended the exercise as necessary for public safety and urban planning. According to the government, the demolitions, which began in late December 2025, targeted illegal structures built under high-tension power lines and in violation of environmental regulations, displacing over 10,000 people in the historic fishing settlement.

During the update, officials clarified that the operation was not a wholesale demolition of Makoko but a targeted removal of unsafe buildings. “Makoko was not fully demolished; there was a targeted removal of structures that were built within the radius of high tension,” a state representative stated, addressing widespread misconceptions. They insisted that multiple notices had been issued since 2024, with extensions granted throughout 2025 to allow for voluntary compliance.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, through his spokespersons, accused some local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of exploiting the situation for financial gain, claiming their opposition was profit-driven rather than rooted in genuine concern for residents. “The state government has no interest in destroying people’s homes without reason; this is strictly about public safety and infrastructure protection,” the governor was quoted as saying.

In response to the backlash, including reports of police using expired tear gas on protesters and allegations of excessive force, the LASG unveiled a $2 million redevelopment plan aimed at resettling displaced families and improving the area’s infrastructure. The initiative includes provisions for temporary housing, vocational training for fishermen, and environmental upgrades to mitigate flooding risks in the lagoon community.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, criticised the police tactics, alleging the use of expired tear gas during clashes with demonstrators. Meanwhile, a coalition of advocacy groups reported that more than 3,000 homes have been destroyed, leaving families like one with 5-month-old twins to live in wooden canoes amid the rainy season.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has scheduled a meeting with Makoko community leaders on Tuesday, February 3, to discuss the demolitions and potential relief measures, following a petition from affected residents. This comes amid growing calls from global rights organisations to halt the exercise, citing violations of court orders and international human rights standards.

As earlier reported by NaijaChoice News, the demolitions have sparked widespread outcry, with residents dismantling their own structures in fear of further action and activists accusing the government of disregarding vulnerable communities. Makoko, established in the 19th century, has faced similar threats in the past, often halted by public pressure.

The government maintains that the actions are part of broader efforts to ensure sanitation and security, while promising that the redevelopment plan will bring long-term benefits to the area. Residents, however, continue to plead for reduced demolition scopes and immediate humanitarian aid.

Source: https://naijachoice.net/lasg-addresses-makoko-demolition-concerns-unveils-2m-redevelopment-initiative/

You didn't provide alternative housing before demolishing their houses. Nigerian politicians are inhuman!

DebiPaydotng:
Source: https://naijachoice.net/lasg-addresses-makoko-demolition-concerns-unveils-2m-redevelopment-initiative/

Be fast with redevelopment so we ndiigbo can acquire more properties in lagos.

Why not make this plan before demolition. This is suppose to be $2m relocation plan before carrying out the demolition

$2m for redevelopment of Makoko, a fishing community. Who will stay in those houses? What people have been thinking is coming to light. According to TINUBU in 2022 in the present of late president Buhari, "let the people breathhhhh".

Lagos is supposed to be a city . Make it

Anyone in government is a born liar 😂

SmartPolician:
You didn't provide alternative housing before demolishing their houses. Nigerian politicians are inhuman!

Very inhuman. Single humanity, they don't have!

They want to go and sandhill it again to start selling it to politicians placing a new city name Makoko on top of underground sea sitting on time bomb for potential day of tsunami in the future ba?

Anytime I remember Tsunami how underground seabed Quaked and wiped out entire city I fear any town or village being sandfilled to accommodate buildings because nature don't understand grammar or any language if you overwhelm it wallahi it strike.

Medicine after death tho.

Lagos state government action is an after thought,they never had it in mind to resettle these poor Nigerians but for the pressure from NGOs both local and internationally,they are shamelessly trying to save face by this after thought act.i hope it is not audio resettlement...we will keep our ears on ground to make sure that these vulnerable and constantly exploited Nigerian indigent masses are fully resettled without any hidden string attached.
Talking about winning an award in 'putting the cart before the horse',gov Sanwolu is the undisputed winner!

Lagos State is only playing politics. The truth is that they are justified with the action. The demolished homes are illegal under high tension electric cables. There are still many undemolished illegal structures there.

I just don't like talking about issues like this because the poor people will always cry and see one as insensitive. Also, if the same govt moved into an area I have an interest in, or I have invested, even my interest or investment is legal, those poor people will "beef" me and even work against me. They will even go to any length to make sure my legal structure is pulled down. It's why I don't say much about cases like this.

But looking at this issue, the govt is right. Trust them, they will still demolish other structures. They are just trying to not hurt Tinubu 2027 campaign. Lol. So, baba won't vex with them. This is the reason they are still finding excuses. You will all be shocked what they are going to do after Tinubu wins the next election. The whole of Makoko will be pulled down. All slumps in the Mainland, adjacent to the Island will be cleared. Mark my words. They know how much they sell these apartments. There are many who are willing to paying about 300 million naira to 1 billion naira or more for each apartment in these areas. And a buildikg may have minimum of 8 apartment in 3-storey buildings. Many comfortable people want to move out of Lekki because of the traffic there. Those who cannot afford Ikoyi will easily buy these apartments.

jiggyman:
Be fast with redevelopment so we ndiigbo can acquire more properties in lagos.

As you buy and build, we demolish and resell.

jiggyman:
Be fast with redevelopment so we ndiigbo can acquire more properties in lagos.

How many una get for banana island, even in Lekki how many belongs to igbo .. how many igbo get property for lekki freetrade zone. you guyz go just dey decieve unaselves

You think Lagos govt will go through all that stress to reclaim makoko n sell to igbos ... it is highly for friends n cronies of lagos govt

SmartPolician:
You didn't provide alternative housing before demolishing their houses. Nigerian politicians are inhuman!

just imagine, sanwoolu only achievement for 8years was brutal demolition and impounding okada

Believe them at your own peril
Always putting the cart before the horse...

SmartPolician:
You didn't provide alternative housing before demolishing their houses. Nigerian politicians are inhuman!

So removing structures around high tension is inhumane? Abeg who do some if una this thing.

reddingtonblack:
How many una get for banana island, even in Lekki how many belongs to igbo .. how many igbo get property for lekki freetrade zone. you guyz go just dey decieve unaselves

You think Lagos govt will go through all that stress to reclaim makoko n sell to igbos ... it is highly for friends n cronies of lagos govt

No be everything we you see you go attack. Some dey post from face me I face you but online Elon musk.

What is radius of high tension? You mean high velocity water flow?

During the update, officials clarified that the operation was not a wholesale demolition of Makoko but a targeted removal of unsafe buildings. “Makoko was not fully demolished; there was a targeted removal of structures that were built within the radius of high tension,” a state representative stated, addressing widespread misconceptions. They insisted that multiple notices had been issued since 2024, with extensions granted throughout 2025 to allow for voluntary compliance.

Shame on you
How do you destroy people’s ancestral homes without providing an alternative first?

This is Medicine after death

Government says some amount is marked for some sort of development

Commissioner of police says

Those demolishing makoko are not from Lagos…

I took this pictures on oct 16,2025 around 9:47 am when i was passing through 3MB

4month after they have started demolishing

Whos sandflilling makoko!

Trust Government at ur own risk

Sometimes I wonder how this Nigerian govt behave, ordinarily I'm in support of all the places to be demolished , demolished everything but try to provide an alternative place for them what cost the Lagos state to have build very low cost building for them in a place like Wow where they can still continue their fishing occupation and timber

DebiPaydotng:
Source: https://naijachoice.net/lasg-addresses-makoko-demolition-concerns-unveils-2m-redevelopment-initiative/

reddingtonblack:
How many una get for banana island, even in Lekki how many belongs to igbo .. how many igbo get property for lekki freetrade zone. you guyz go just dey decieve unaselves

You think Lagos govt will go through all that stress to reclaim makoko n sell to igbos ... it is highly for friends n cronies of lagos govt

But at least we buy your ancestral homes, dig up your ancestors grave and build massive homes on it.
Do fast many millionaires are waiting to buy ur ikorodu homes when it finally opens up

LAGOS, a country within another country

Solution after actions shows there was no provision for them to start with

jiggyman:
But at least we buy your ancestral homes, dig up your ancestors grave and build massive homes on it.
Do fast many millionaires are waiting to buy ur ikorodu homes when it finally opens up

Is it only in lagos or southwest sell ancenstral land, in the East dont people sell land/homes just to relocate to lagos or abroad

Maybe if you are talkin to a kid you can have a point, i have seen igbo land lord in my area sell half his land ... new flash Na yoruba young man even buy am

I know igbos have there eye on lagos Buh no matter how they try They can never own properties more than yorubas in Lagos.

No tribe wey no dey make money .. Tompolo donated ova 10billion in one event he no even dey shout money na water

LASG is framing the demolitions as safety-driven and introducing a financial plan to assist displaced residents. While the rationale is understandable, the government must ensure transparent, inclusive, and well-communicated resettlement efforts to avoid social backlash and to demonstrate that the redevelopment is genuinely resident-centered, not just infrastructure-focused.

Lies after lies. Lies and upon Lies. Even fashola that was percieved by many as mean and arrogant, no do reach the puppet called sanwo olu. He's only after demolition and land property grabbing. Power is transiet shaa. He will surely reap everything that he's sowing