MAKOKO EVICTION NOTICES WAS SERVED TWO YEARS BEFORE DEMOLITION – SANWO-OLU
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Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that residents affected by the recent demolition exercise in the Makoko area of the state were issued evacuation notices more than two years before the operation was carried out.
The governor gave the clarification on Monday while speaking at the signing of the 2026 Appropriation Bill at the Lagos House, Ikeja, assuring residents that his administration remains committed to protecting lives and property across the state.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also condemned the incident at Apapa Bridge earlier in the day, where some residents were seen scooping fuel from a fallen tanker, describing the act as a “suicide mission.” He commended the swift response of Lagos State emergency agencies and the police for cordoning off the area and preventing a potential disaster.
Addressing issues of indiscipline, particularly the indiscriminate dumping of refuse on road medians, the governor warned that stiffer penalties would be imposed on environmental offenders in 2026. He said the state would improve the capacity of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and Private Sector Participants (PSPs) by expanding their fleet of compactor trucks and equipment.
“We have instructed LAWMA not only to apprehend offenders but also to ensure that environmental violations are prosecuted,” Sanwo-Olu said.
On the Makoko demolition, the governor explained that the affected structures were located within 150 to 250 metres of high-tension power lines, posing serious safety risks. He stressed that the exercise was not targeted at the entire Makoko community but focused on shanties built beneath high-tension wires and close to the Third Mainland Bridge.
Sanwo-Olu dismissed allegations of ulterior motives, insisting the decision was taken in the collective interest of residents’ safety. He also accused some local and international non-governmental organisations of exploiting the situation for financial gain, adding that the government had evidence to support its claims.
The governor disclosed that the demolition, initially scheduled for December 2024, was extended throughout 2025 to allow affected residents adequate time to relocate.
He further assured that the state government would provide palliatives and relocation stipends to displaced residents, directing relevant ministries and local councils to offer additional support as a show of compassion.
“Our priority is to ensure that Lagosians live in a safe and secure environment. While the law must be upheld, we will also continue to show compassion,” Sanwo-Olu said.
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