By: Manoah Kikekon
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| Demolished houses set Ablaze and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu |
LAGOS, Nigeria — Tensions have reached a breaking point in the Makoko waterfront community as residents of the historic Ogu (Egun) fishing settlement accuse the Lagos State Government of plans to set fire to demolished structures starting tomorrow, Tuesday.
This follows days of intense demolition activities that have reportedly left hundreds homeless and resulted in the tragic deaths of at least five people.
Allegations of Fire Threats and "Silence" from the Governor
The atmosphere in Makoko turned from despair to terror on Monday evening following a visit from representatives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. Chief Daniel Gbesemitho, the Baale of Oko-Agbon waterfront, shared an emotional account of the day’s events, stating that while officials arrived to inspect the devastation, they refused to engage in dialogue with community leaders.
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"The Governor's representative came today, looked around, and left without saying a single word to us," Chief Gbesemitho said, struggling to hold back tears. "Immediately after they departed, an announcement was made that all the areas already demolished would be set ablaze by Tuesday morning. Where do they want us to go? We are fishermen; our lives are on this water."
Casualties and Displacement: A Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The human cost of the clearance exercise is becoming increasingly clear. Reports from within the community indicate that the demolition process has turned fatal, with local sources claiming that three children and two adults have lost their lives during the chaos of the past few days.
Currently, hundreds of displaced residents—many of whom saw their homes reduced to rubble within minutes—are forced to sleep in open wooden boats on the Lagos lagoon. With no access to food, clean water, or shelter, the Ogu people, who dominate the local fishing industry, face an uncertain future. "Two of my own houses are gone," Gbesemitho added. "We were initially told to stay 30 meters away from the powerlines, but now they have cleared over 200 meters deep into our community."
The "Relocation" Controversy: Claims of Deception
While rumors have circulated suggesting that the Lagos State Government has prepared a relocation plan for the affected fishing families, community leaders have vehemently denied these claims. They allege a pattern of deception, asserting that they were "tricked" into signing documents by government agents without being given the opportunity to read or understand the contents.
"The information that they have made arrangements to move us is a lie," one community member stated. "They used our illiteracy against us, making leaders sign papers we didn't understand, only to use those same papers to justify destroying our lives."
A Plea for Intervention
The Makoko community is now calling on human rights organizations, the federal government, and the international community to intervene before the situation escalates into further violence or arson. As one of the world's most famous "floating slums," Makoko represents a unique cultural heritage for the Ogu people, whose livelihood is tied exclusively to the water.
As the Tuesday deadline approaches, the residents remain on high alert, gathered in their canoes and watching the shoreline, praying that the promised fires do not come to pass.