A human rights organization, Amnesty International, has urged the Federal Government to retract a 21-day eviction notice issued to waterfront communities in Oworonshoki, Lagos, by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
In a statement on Tuesday, Amnesty's Country Director, Isa Sanusi, condemned the ultimatum, stating that it violated the communities' right to adequate housing. The residents fear being rendered homeless as the proposed demolition is reportedly to pave the way for private developers.
Amnesty International highlighted previous forced evictions by the Lagos State Government, including the displacement of thousands of residents and the demolition of over 7,000 buildings between July 24 and August 1, 2023. Additionally, 30,000 residents were evicted from their homes in Otodo-Gbame community between November 2016 and April 2017.
The organization called on Nigerian authorities to withdraw the ultimatum and cease forced evictions, emphasizing the need to comply with international human rights law to protect the vulnerable communities.
