The Lagos State House of Assembly has invited community leaders from Makoko and neighboring waterfront settlements for a meeting on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to address petitions concerning recent demolitions and forced evictions.
The invitation, issued via a letter dated January 26 and signed by the Clerk of the House, Olalekan Onafeko, requests leaders to present relevant documents to facilitate discussions.
The move follows widespread unrest in the waterfront communities after demolition exercises destroyed homes, schools, and small clinics. Residents and human rights groups allege the operations were conducted without adequate notice, compensation, or resettlement, leaving many families homeless and living in precarious conditions. Some displaced persons have reportedly taken shelter on boats or with neighbors, while others relocated to other areas of Lagos State.
Community leaders claim the demolition extended far beyond the agreed 30-metre setback from high-tension power lines, reportedly reaching up to 520 metres, destroying properties and displacing residents. Francis Samson, a community chief, said, “Before the demolition, the government indicated only structures within 30 metres of power lines would be removed. However, they extended this to 100 metres and eventually demolished homes up to 520 metres.”
The destruction has severely impacted livelihoods, particularly for fishermen, while reports indicate deaths occurred during the operation, including a child from tear gas exposure and an adult from health complications following the demolition. Residents continue to plead with the government for clearly defined boundaries and sustainable resettlement solutions.
Oluwo Felix Fasinu, another community leader, emphasized the need for proper demarcation, stating, “Repeated appeals to the government to define our boundaries have yielded no results. People cannot be fully displaced after spending their entire lives here.”
The Assembly’s Committee on Rules and Business, led by Stephen Ogundipe, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, is yet to respond to follow-up enquiries. The meeting scheduled at the Assembly Complex, Alausa, Ikeja, aims to address grievances, explore solutions, and ensure compliance with lawful procedures in the waterfront communities.
This engagement underscores Lagos State’s recognition of ongoing tensions in Makoko and the need for dialogue between authorities and affected communities to mitigate social, economic, and humanitarian impacts.
