Two young children and an adult male remain in critical condition after inhaling tear gas deployed by police during ongoing demolitions in Lagos’ Makoko waterfront community. The incident unfolded amid government efforts to clear structures near high-tension power lines, displacing over 10,000 residents and sparking widespread outcry. Families report devastating losses, with many now homeless and resorting to boats for shelter.
Health Crisis Unfolds
A toddler and an infant under one year old struggled for breath after exposure on Tuesday, while the adult—a respected community figure—collapsed on Monday and required urgent hospitalization. Eyewitnesses describe chaotic scenes where police fired canisters to enforce the clearance, affecting vulnerable groups including children and the elderly. Rights groups warn this exacerbates a humanitarian crisis, threatening food security and livelihoods in the water-bound slum.
Demolition Timeline and Disputes
Demolitions intensified two weeks ago following a Lagos State government directive to remove buildings within 100 meters of power lines for public safety, though community leaders negotiated down to 30 meters initially. Last Sunday, crews razed homes beyond agreed limits, prompting protests and a Monday meeting with Gbolahan Oki, Permanent Secretary of the Office of Urban Development, who reaffirmed the 100-meter buffer. Residents, led by Baales, began self-demolishing zinc and wood structures on Wednesday but plead for a 50-meter compromise to spare more families.
Resident Voices and Broader Impact
Jeremiah Whosu, a local, recalls a 2025 false eviction scare under past administration that global pressure halted, allowing home expansions tied to fishing and trade. A mother displaced to a boat lamented in Yoruba: “We couldn’t save our things—kids have no clothes, no food, can’t fish, and now tear gas.” Activist January Wheduto of Mipamwu Children Development Foundation highlights how since December 23, children face school disruptions, deepening poverty in education and nutrition.
Historical Context and Calls for Relief
Makoko’s woes echo past evictions like 1990’s Maroko clearance and 2012-2013 demolitions, often without resettlement, fostering distrust. NGOs decry the current action’s scale, urging President Tinubu’s intervention akin to Isoko community’s plea, while government insists safety trumps all. Affected families demand shelter aid to mitigate the rubble left from Iyana Oworo to Oworo.
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