Mile 12 Residents Protest Demolition of Homes, Demand Government Intervention

Residents of Mile 12 Central, a community located behind the busy Mile 12 food market in Lagos, have cried out over what they describe as a prolonged and distressing demolition of their homes and properties.

According to community leaders, more than 200 houses have been destroyed since December 2025 by officials allegedly working with the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), leaving hundreds of residents displaced and uncertain about their future.

The community is situated within the Mile 12 area of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, one of the densely populated districts of Lagos.

Community Leaders Raise Alarm

Speaking on behalf of residents, community chairman Joshua Tunde Ogundele said the demolition exercise began unexpectedly on December 15, 2025.

According to him, government agents reportedly arrived with bulldozers, accompanied by security personnel, and began pulling down buildings without prior warning.

Ogundele claimed that the structures demolished included homes, hospitals, schools, mosques, and churches.

“The demolition started around 8:30 in the morning. They came with bulldozers, police officers, and touts. By the time they left, over 200 houses had been destroyed,” he said.

Series of Protests

In response to the demolitions, residents have staged several peaceful protests and submitted petitions to authorities.

Demonstrations were reportedly held at the Lagos State House of Assembly shortly after the demolitions began in December 2025, while another protest took place in early March.

During the latest protest, residents gathered at the entrance of the assembly complex carrying placards and banners appealing to the state government to stop the demolition.

Some of the placards read: “Stop the Demolition Now,” “No to Forceful Evictions,” and “Our Homes, Our Rights.”

Residents also appealed directly to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos State, asking him to intervene and halt the exercise.

Residents Claim Lack of Explanation

Many residents say they remain confused about the reasons behind the demolition.

According to Ogundele, several property owners in the community possess land documents, including Certificates of Occupancy and building permits issued by government authorities.

He also noted that the area had long been inhabited by prominent individuals, including former government officials who served during the administration of Lateef Jakande, a former governor of Lagos State.

Because of this, residents insist they cannot understand why their homes are suddenly being destroyed.

Reports of Hardship and Deaths

The demolitions have reportedly had serious consequences for affected residents.

Community members claim many people have been left homeless, while others were forced to relocate to different parts of the country.

Ogundele alleged that several deaths have occurred following the demolitions due to stress and health complications.

He claimed that one local imam reportedly died from hypertension after his house was demolished, while other residents died while relocating to their hometowns.

Residents also complained that one of the community’s hospitals was destroyed during the exercise, worsening healthcare access for people living in the area.

Allegations Against Local Officials

Some residents have accused the leadership of the local council development area of supporting the demolitions.

However, the chairman of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, Princess Samiat Bada, denied involvement in the operation.

Speaking on the issue, she argued that local government authorities do not have the power to carry out such demolitions.

According to her, the land belongs to the state government, which has the authority to reclaim it if necessary.

Growing Concerns Over Forced Evictions

Urban development experts say demolitions have become a frequent issue in Lagos as authorities attempt to enforce building regulations and address overcrowding in the rapidly expanding city.

However, critics argue that such exercises often lack transparency and proper compensation for affected residents.

For many people in Mile 12, the uncertainty continues as they wait for a response from the government regarding their appeals.

Community leaders say they will continue peaceful protests until the demolition stops and authorities provide compensation and assurances that similar incidents will not happen again.