Oworonshoki residents rendered homeless in fresh demolition in Lagos

…Police speak 

CITIZENS COMPASS— For the third time in two years, many residents of Oworonshoki in Lagos State, have been rendered homeless in an overnight demolition exercise by the state government.

Affected areas included Ojileru, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Streets.

Unlike the previous ones, the fresh demolition contravened a court order in favour of the residents.

Citizens Compass reports that in a ruling delivered on October 23, 2025, Justice A.G. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, in Suit No. ID/9910GCM/2025, granted an interim injunction restraining the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) — whether by themselves, their servants, agents, privies, contractors, or assigns — from continuing with the demolition of properties allegedly belonging to members of the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Association (CDA).

According to eye witnesses’ accounts, over 70 houses were demolished overnight thereby compounding the existing homelessness many residents have been facing in the past two years.

So far, Thousands of people including children and adults have been rendered homeless.

Recall that as a result of the demolition, some residents of Oworonshoki have been sent to their early graves while some are facing serious health challenges.

Citizens Compass reported that one of the residents simply identified as Iya Fatia watched helplessly as her two buildings were brought down by the bulldosers.

She was thereafter hit by stroke following the shock which accompanied the demolition exercise.

Citizens Compass reported that the State Government recently opened a compensation channel where some affected victims were compensated with a paltry N200,000.

This has attracted criticisms from many.

On Sunday, many of the affected victims lambasted the state government of insensitivity to their plights.

In the course of this story, some affected victims reached out to our Correspondent lamenting the situation.

Speaking, a widow, Iya Fatia said she personally lost two buildings to the demolition exercise of 2023 while her son lost one.

She said both of them have had no fixed address since then.

“Thousands of people were left out in the compensation. I think the ruling party only called out some party loyalists and dashed them money. This is not compensation but a deliberate attempt to make people suffer.

“I have suffered a stroke since 2023 when my two buildings and that of my son were demolished.

“I am a widow of many years whose illegal demolitions have rendered me homeless making me unable to feed.” She said.

Another victim who simply identified himself as Alaniade said he operated a small-scale business from home but the demolition has taken away his means of livelihood.

In an emotional laden voice, Alaniade said, “I am a retiree who managed to build a bungalow before my retirement and opened the business with my pension but the situation on ground is bigger than me.”

He also blamed the state government for insensitivity.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has exonerated its operatives from some misleading reports at the scene of the demolition.

Spokesperson for the Command, SP Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement titled, “Lagos State Police Command set record straight on the misleading reports of police violence during demolition in Oworonshoki,” said:

The Lagos State Police Command wishes to clarify and set the record straight on the misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that armed policemen attacked residents during an ongoing demolition exercise carried out by the Lagos State Government in conjunction with its Lagos State Task Force, in the Oworonshoki area. The reports are in entirety false,mischievously published to misrepresent the facts and mislead the general public on the lawful conduct of Police personnel deployed to maintain peace and order during the government’s urban renewal exercise. The constitutional duty of the Police is protection of life and property, including the lives of Public Officials at every level of Government while carrying out their lawful official duties and other responsibilities.

For the avoidance of doubt, the demolition activity in Oworonshoki is being carried out by the Lagos State Department responsible for Urban Development and Planning in conjunction with the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences, in accordance with the law and other due processes, after several months of official notices served on both legal and illegal occupants of the affected structures, and payment of compensation to the affected occupants concluded.

The presence of Police personnel during the demolition exercise was purely to prevent any breakdown of law and order, and at no time did officers of the Command engage in any act of violence, harassment, or collaboration with hoodlums as falsely reported. This is clearly telling falsehood to cast aspersions on the top-notch professionalism exhibited by all the Police Officers in the execution of their lawful duties.

The Command wishes to reiterate once again that the roles of the Police in such operations are strictly to provide security coverage of the Government agencies in carrying out their statutory responsibilities, and ensure that the exercise is conducted peacefully. Police Officers were under strict instructions to act with the highest level of professionalism, strict restraint, but to be polite, civil and with utmost respect for human rights and human dignity.

Every allegation in the report is unfounded, baseless, inaccurate and false,and should be disregarded by members of the public.

The Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, remains committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting lives and property, and supporting lawful government policies that promote safety, crime prevention,society orderliness, and urban development.

Members of the public are implored to verify information before sharing and to continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the collective interest of ensuring peace, development and progress in Lagos State.