A century-old riverside community in Lagos, home to over 9,000 residents, was demolished in a single day, leaving thousands homeless.
In the early hours of Friday, government officials, police, and armed young men stormed Ilaje-Otumara, forcing people to flee as bulldozers leveled homes, businesses, and places of worship. Residents, many of whom had lived there for generations, were given no prior warning or alternative housing.
Eyewitnesses, including journalists from NPR and AFP, reported violence against residents and media personnel, with officials overseeing the forced evictions. Personal belongings were abandoned as people fled, unsure of where to go next.
Mass evictions of waterfront communities are not new in Lagos. In 2017, the Otodo-Gbame community of 30,000 people was displaced despite court orders against it, and Tarkwa Bay saw similar evictions in 2020. A Lagos court had previously ruled that displacing Ilaje-Otumara residents without resettlement was unconstitutional, yet the government proceeded with demolitions after marking the area for clearance in February.
Albert Bamidele, who had lived there for 30 years, expressed his dismay:
“We weren’t even given time. They just arrived, destroyed everything, and beat people. We’re not refusing to leave—we just want to be treated with dignity.”
For Adeto Banbade, 62, born and raised in Ilaje-Otumara, the eviction was devastating. “I’ve never been homeless, but now, in my old age, I have nowhere to go,” she said.
Local rights groups argue that these evictions primarily target communities occupying valuable land sought after for luxury developments. Despite some residents having official land documents, the government’s actions have left thousands displaced with no support or compensation.
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