Amnesty International Demands Protection for Oworonshoki Community from Forced Eviction

Amnesty International has condemned the Nigerian government’s threat to evict the residents of Oworonshoki waterfront communities, calling the action a violation of human rights. Amnesty International is demanding that the government immediately withdraw the 21-day ultimatum that was given to the community by the National Inland Waterways Authority.

The community members have informed Amnesty International that the Lagos State Government plans to transfer the land to private developers for development. This would result in the demolition of the homes of the local residents, with no alternative housing provided for them. The community members are worried that they will be left homeless if the government proceeds with its plans.

Amnesty International’s Director in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, released the statement condemning the planned evictions and raising concerns about the lack of alternative housing for the affected community members.

The statement read, “This fresh threat of forced eviction violates the right to adequate housing of the communities. NIWA and the Lagos authorities must halt these attacks on poor communities that are punished for the state’s urban planning failures,” said Isa Sanusi, Director, Amnesty International Nigeria.

“The trend in which Lagos authorities forcibly evicts communities and hand over the land to private developers will only create a mega city that excludes the poor.

“Lagos state government has been consistently violating the right to adequate housing – and in some cases doing so with utter disregard of court orders. NIWA and Lagos state government have an obligation to comply with international human rights law which completely prohibits forced evictions.

“Between 24 July to 1 August 2023, the Lagos State government forcibly evicted thousands of residents of Oke-Eri, Oluwaseyi, Cornerstone, Ogo-Oluwa and other communities of Oworonshoki, without consultation and adequate notice and left more than 7,000 buildings either burned or demolished.

“Between November 2016 and April 2017, Lagos state authorities forcibly and violently evicted more than 30,000 residents from the Otodo-Gbame community on the outskirts of Lagos city.”