Amnesty: Lagos celebrating 50th anniversary after rendering thousands homeless

Amnesty International says the 50th anniversary of Lagos state is coming at a time when thousands of residents have been rendered homeless as a result of forced evictions.

In a statement on Wednesday, the human rights body asked Lagos state government to compensate victims of evictions.

The group said those who have been sent out of their homes were in need of alternative accommodation, compensation and emergency relief.

“Lagos has always opened its doors to people from all walks of life – poor and rich alike – but is now gradually becoming a city where you could be forcibly evicted from your home,” Morayo Adebayo, a researcher in the organisation, said in a statement.

“It is staggering to think that a megacity like Lagos still does not have a law prohibiting forced evictions and guaranteeing people’s right to housing.

“The government of Lagos state has consistently ignored calls to follow due process, including ensuring meaningful consultation and providing compensation and adequate, alternative housing where necessary.

“During these forced evictions, state agents also use excessive force, such as firing live bullets and tear gas, while deliberately destroying the properties of residents.”

According to the statement, about 50,000 people have been rendered homeless since 2013.

“In February 2013, Lagos authorities forcibly evicted at least 9,200 children, men and women from Badia East, for a government building project, which remains incomplete to date,” the statement read.

“In September 2015, the Lagos state government forcibly evicted about 10,000 people from the remaining parts of Badia East, and from some parts of Badia West. Again, on 15 October 2016, hundreds of residents of Ilubirin were forcibly evicted by government agents, once more for a Lagos state public-private-partnership building project.

“Between 9 November 2016 and 9 April 2017, more than 30,000 residents of Otodo Gbame were forcibly evicted from their homes and places of businesses, over alleged security and environmental concerns.

“Development must have human rights and justice at its core. As Lagos state looks forward to its next 50 years and plans towards being a smart city, it must find ways of righting the wrongs of its past by putting in place policies and laws to protect all residents against forced evictions.”