Human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, has challenged the Lagos State Government to protect residents of Badia East, who it said were being rendered homeless by the government.
The group stated that the government must act immediately to protect hundreds of families in the informal settlement of Badia East who were forcibly evicted on Friday, insisting that the state government has a clear responsibility to protect them.
AI in a statement said that demolitions began in the community following a day’s notice by the police who had visited the community.
Nigeria Researcher for Amnesty International, Morayo Adebayo, said, “Bulldozers had arrived in the informal settlement in the early hours of Friday morning, after repossession notices were daubed across buildings with red paint yesterday.
“Residents were given just one day’s notice of the demolition and to date, no adequate remedy or alternative housing has been offered and the local chief has not conducted any formal consultation with the affected residents.
“Hundreds of people in Badia East woke up this morning (Friday) to the frightening sight of bulldozers outside their homes. With wholly inadequate notice, they are at serious risk of being forcibly evicted because of a court ruling which they have no chance to appeal.”
The group explained that the threat of eviction was sequel to a court ruling in favour of Chief Abdul-Fatai Aromire, who is seeking to reclaim the land on which the homes and structures at risk in Badia East were built.
It noted that the residents were not party to the lawsuit, rendering them unable to appeal the judgement.
It said, “In addition, they have not been consulted at all on the proposed demolitions and evictions as the authorities are required to do under international law.
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