Lagos Streets Rocked by Protests Over Worsening Hunger and Oworonshoki Demolitions

Hundreds of demonstrators took to the streets of Lagos on Friday, marching from the Ikeja Bridge to Alausa, the seat of the Lagos State Government, to protest the worsening economic hardship and the controversial demolition of buildings in the Oworonshoki area.

Dependable NG reports that the protest, spearheaded by the Take It Back Movement in collaboration with several civil society organisations, demanded an end to the demolitions, which they claim have rendered many low-income families homeless and exacerbated the existing hunger crisis in the state.

Eyewitnesses confirmed the demonstration began around 10:00 a.m., with participants gathering at the Ikeja Bridge as early as 7:30 a.m. before proceeding to the State Secretariat in Alausa. Protesters carried placards with bold inscriptions such as “Stop the Demolitions,” “End Hunger Now,” and “Government Should Protect the Poor.”

The protesting groups accused the state government of implementing “anti-poor policies,” alleging that the demolition exercises in Oworonshoki and other communities were carried out without sufficient notice or providing alternative accommodation for the displaced families.

Security personnel, including police officers and operatives of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), were strategically positioned along the major routes leading to Alausa to maintain order. As of the time of this report, the demonstrators had reached the Secretariat complex, chanting solidarity songs and urgently calling for an audience with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu or a representative of his administration to present their grievances.