The Amnesty International has stated that despite the Lagos State government’s lofty dreams of making the state a mega city, about 75 per cent of Lagosians live in slums.
Amnesty International’s Nigeria researcher, stated that the state government’s failure to respect the rights of the residents of Badia had resulted in hardship for the people who still remained largely homeless and jobless despite pleas from them for compensation from the state government.
He stated that forced evictions of Nigerians in Lagos had cost around 9,000 people their homes or livelihoods. He added that tens of thousands more could be at risk if the government proceeded with plans to redevelop the slum area of Badia East.
The report called on Lagos authorities to halt the forced evictions aimed at bringing order to the chaotic and crowded metropolis which is home to about 15 million people.
Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, one of the evicted, Mrs Bimbo Osobe, described the situation as very harrowing and demoralising.
“I am 55 years old and I am homeless. What happened that day was shocking because there was no notice. They came with sledge hammers and all the law enforcement agents were armed. We stayed by the rail lines. They did not give us a chance to take any of our belongings.
“We had a house with tenants and their children living in there. I had shops, but they were all rendered useless. We are calling on the Lagos State government to come to our aid,” she said.
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