Lagos authorities have defended the demolition of buildings in Oworonshoki that sparked protests and traffic disruption on the Third Mainland Bridge earlier this week.
Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, said the demolished properties were unapproved structures on coastal land and therefore “illegal and a threat to life.”
He noted that makeshift settlements in coastal areas often expand into permanent buildings sold illegally by local land claimants, a cycle the state intends to break. “We cannot use taxpayers’ money to compensate illegal occupants,” Olumide said.
The commissioner cited risks from distressed buildings, unregulated land sales, and construction on restricted zones such as drainage setbacks and high-tension lines. He urged prospective buyers to verify titles and approvals before building, to prevent losses.
Officials maintain the demolitions align with Lagos’ urban planning strategy, though the action has intensified debate over housing pressures and the treatment of vulnerable communities in Africa’s largest city.
