Take-It-Back Movement, Oworonshoki Demolition Victims Coalition Demands End to Forced Evictions and Compensation for Displaced Families One Year After Eviction by Lagos State Government

The Take-It-Back Movement and the Oworonshoki Demolition Victims’ Coalition have jointly called for the Lagos State Government to end forced evictions and provide compensation to affected families one year after the catastrophic eviction at Oworonshoki.

In a statement issued today, both organizations decried the Lagos State Government’s apparent indifference and insensitivity towards the displaced families and urged the authorities to take immediate action to address the injustices and suffering experienced by the victims.

Titled “Joint Press Statement Of The Take It Back Movement And The Coalition Of Victims Of Oworoshoki Illegal Demolition,” the statement speaks against the Lagos State Government’s negligence, indifference, and ongoing threats towards the victims who were forcefully evicted, displaced, and had their homes demolished at Oworoshoki a year ago.

“We, the undersigned organizations condemns with strong vehemence, the nonchalant attitude, total negligence and continues threat by the Lagos State Government to the poor people of Oke-Eri, Odun’fa, Lone, Ogo-Oluwa, Precious Seed and Coker environs of Oworoshoki Area of Lagos State.”

The statement emphasizes that today marks exactly one year since the Lagos State Police Task Force, acting on orders from the Lagos State Ministry of Environment, invaded the Mosafejo and Precious Seed Communities of Oworonshoki, destroying thousands of homes with bulldozers and arson. According to the statement, around 1,000 homes were either demolished or burned down, leaving over 10,000 residents without shelter or belongings.

“Today makes it exactly one year that the Lagos State Police Task Force acting on the directive of the Lagos State Ministry of Environment invaded the Mosafejo and Precious Seed Communities of Oworoshoki with bulldozers and armed police officers thereby burning and demolishing houses without even allowing people to take their properties. About one thousand homes were either burned or knocked down by bulldozers rendering over ten thousand residents homeless.”

Adding to the joint statement, they highlighted Lagos State’s bleak history of frequent and violent forced evictions of poor and marginalized groups. Citing Amnesty International’s 2017 investigation, the organizations assert that nearly two million Lagosians have been forcefully evicted from their homes and workplaces by state officials over the past two decades.

“It should also be noted that the Lagos State has a historical record of being notorious for forceful evictions and destruction of homes and livelihoods of poor working people. According to a 2017 Amnesty International investigation, nearly two million Lagosians had been forcibly evicted from their homes and workplaces by Lagos State officials over the last two decades. And these evictions have continued since Sanwo Olu became Governor in 2019 and even more now.

“The main aim of these forceful evictions is to grab land from the poor and redistribute it to the rich and powerful through private developers.”

The organizations went on to note that the aftermath of the demolition has led to the tragic deaths of 13 people, including 4 children, 2 men, and 7 women, as well as displacing thousands of victims who are still struggling to rebuild their lives. The statement highlights the callousness of the Lagos State Government, led by Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu, in failing to provide any form of compensation or resettlement to the victims.

“We also want to bring it to public notice that one year after the illegal and forceful eviction, we have recorded 13 deaths as a result of the aftermath of the demolition which includes 4 children, 2 men and 7 women respectively. These also include thousands of victims that are still homeless and their means of livelihood ruined.

“It’s so sad and pathetic that up to date, the Lagos State Government under Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu has turned a deaf ear to the plight of the victims. Instead of awarding compensations including resettlement of the thousands that have been unjustly displaced, made homeless and without property, the Lagos State continue to issue threat under different guise to evict more people from the community. Just about two weeks ago, some unscrupulous elements said to be working under the directive of the Oba of Oworoshoki, Oba Babatunde Saliu, who was formerly the vice chairman of Kosofe Local Government issued a threat to the People of Precious Seed community and ordered them to vacate their homes before 1st of August 2024 in order to create more space to build a Shrine called (Igbo’ro).”

In closing the statement, they demanded that the Lagos State Government take immediate action to restore justice for those affected by the demolition, adding that the Oba of Oworonshoki be ordered to desist from threatening further evictions, and that compensation and resettlement be provided for all displaced victims, the families of the 13 individuals who tragically lost their lives receive adequate compensation.

“We need to reiterate that the right to shelter is a fundamental human right which is guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution. The fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State policy, as stated in Section 16(2)(d) of the 1999 constitution, provide that the state shall direct its policy towards ensuring that suitable and adequate shelter is provided for all citizens.

“It is on this note that we call on the Lagos State Government under the leadership of Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu to immediately

1. call the Oba Oworoshoki, Oba Babatunde Saliu to order on the recent threat to precious seed to vacate their homes before 1st August 2024.
award compensations including resettlement of the thousands that have been unjustly displaced, made homeless, and without property.
pay a visit to the families of the 13 persons that have lost their lives as a result of the demolition and provide adequate compensation for their families.
“We refuse to be the lamb that is sacrificed on the altar of the insatiable greed of an elite minority.”

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