Global human rights body, the Amnesty International, has condemned in strongest terms, the demolition of homes in Ayetoro community in the Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State by the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, which has rendered over 3000 residents of the community homeless.

Amnesty International, while condemning the government’s forced evictions of the residents, said that Governor Sanwo-Olu must immediately stop attacking and punishing poor residents of the state for the state’s urban planning failure.

The global rights organisation said that most of the recent forced evictions by the state government were carried out without genuine consultation with affected residents, nor was there an adequate prior notice, provision of compensation or alternative housing made, contrary to Nigeria’s international legal obligations.

In a statement issued on X on Thursday, the organisation said, “Amnesty International condemns the latest wave of forced evictions by Lagos state government which rendered over 3000 people homeless at Ayetoro community in Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

“The Lagos state authorities must halt these attacks on poor communities who are being punished for the state’s urban planning failures.

“The instability and uncertainty created by forced evictions is making their lives a misery as they are left completely destitute.

“Most of the recent forced evictions by Lagos state government were carried out without genuine consultation with affected residents, adequate prior notice, provision of compensation or alternative housing – contrary to Nigeria’s international legal obligations.”

SaharaReporters had reported residents of Ayetoro community raised the alarm over the demolition of their buildings by the Lagos State government officials, especially the Task Force and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

SaharaReporters learnt that the demolition, which reportedly took place on Monday without prior notice, has left thousands of families homeless and in distress.

One of the residents, Ajimuda Gbenga, told Newsmen on Tuesday that some policemen and LASEMA officials came and demolished their building.
Samuel Adebayo, a representative of the community, told SaharaReporters that he had spoken to several notable people about the incident but he was not sure who could come to their aid as soon as possible.

According to him, “This is a matter of urgency, and I trust SaharaReporters to bring attention to such issues.

“Our community existed long before the Oko-Baba Plant Market. However, due to the expansion of the plant market, there has been tension. Ayetoro, a neighbouring community, shares a boundary with the plant market.

“What is happening now is disturbing; the demolition began in the market, about 2 kilometers away from our community. I witnessed them using bulldozers to demolish houses. In areas they couldn’t reach, they resorted to setting homes on fire, leaving children and their mothers without shelter.”