By: Manoah Kikekon
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| OGA, Makoko and Babajide Sanwo-Olu |
LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Ogu General Assembly (OGA), a prominent socio-cultural organization representing the Ogu (Egun) people, has issued a scathing condemnation of the ongoing demolitions in the Makoko waterfront community.
In a formal position paper released on February 2, 2026, the group accused the Lagos State Government of "systematic ethnic cleansing" and "unconscionable gentrification," alleging that the state is targeting Ogu-dominated settlements under the guise of urban renewal.
The crisis, which escalated during the 2025 Christmas holiday, has reportedly displaced thousands and resulted in multiple fatalities, including infants. As the Lagos State House of Assembly intervenes to halt the exercise, the OGA is demanding accountability for what it describes as a humanitarian disaster.
Claims of Ethnic and "Class Cleansing"
The OGA alleges that the demolitions are part of a broader pattern to displace indigenous Ogu populations from prime littoral lands to make way for luxury real estate.
“The indigenous Ogu people are being annihilated,” stated Prof. Ṣenayọn Ọlaoluwa, a member of the OGA Steering Committee, while addressing the Lagos State House of Assembly on February 3, 2026. The group drew direct parallels to the 2017 destruction of Otodogbamẹ, a community of roughly 30,000 residents that was subsequently transformed into the high-end Periwinkle Estate.
The Ogu people, who account for approximately 15% of the indigenous population of Lagos State, have inhabited these waterfronts since the 17th and 18th centuries. The OGA argues that dismantling these communities erases centuries of cultural continuity and destroys the livelihoods of fishing families who supply the bulk of seafood to the Lagos metropolis.
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The Human Cost: Deaths and Displacement
According the OGA and civil society reports, the "violent" execution of the demolitions has led to heartbreaking casualties. Reports indicate that Epiphany Kpenassou Adingban, a five-day-old infant, died following tear gas exposure. Another three-week-old baby girl, Morenikeji Amossou, reportedly drowned after her mother slipped into the lagoon while fleeing security operatives.
The group cited the death of 70-year-old Albertine Ojadiklunọ, attributing it to the extreme stress and trauma of losing her home.
As of late January 2026, the OGA claims over 3,000 homes, five schools, two clinics, and four places of worship have been razed.
Displaced residents, including the elderly and newborns, have reportedly been forced to sleep in open-air canoes, exposed to the elements and rising health risks.
Inconsistent Boundaries and "Land Grabbing"
At the heart of the dispute is the scope of the demolition. While the state government initially cited a 30-meter safety setback from high-tension power lines, community leaders and lawyers, including Jiti Ogunye, allege the clearance expanded arbitrarily.
Reports suggest that in some areas, the demolition reached 520 meters inland, affecting zones with no proximity to power infrastructure. The OGA argues this "creeping" expansion confirms that "public safety" is merely a pretext for land grabbing.
Government Response and Assembly Intervention
In response to the mounting pressure, the Lagos State House of Assembly, led by Majority Leader Noheem Adams, ordered an immediate halt to all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro on Tuesday.
The state government has attempted to pivot the narrative by announcing a $10 million (approximately ₦15 billion) "Water City" regeneration project. Special Adviser Olajide Babatunde emphasized that the government has "no plan of wiping off Makoko" and that the community is a vital part of Lagos history. He further promised:
Compensation: Verified homeowners will receive palliatives and relocation stipends.
Modernization: The $10 million fund is earmarked for floating structures and shoreline improvements.
Demands for Justice
The Ogu General Assembly remains skeptical, calling for a permanent cessation of hostilities and a "dignified resettlement plan" that preserves community cohesion. Their demands include:
1. Immediate withdrawal of armed security personnel.
2. Full compensation for property loss and the families of the deceased.
3. A guarantee that the Ogu people will not be displaced for elite luxury developments.
"Lagos State cannot build a megacity on the bodies, blood, and tears of its most vulnerable residents," the OGA concluded.