Follow Us on Google
The Human Rights Monitoring Agenda (HURMA) has urged the management of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) to act with caution and stop allowing the agency to be used as a tool of oppression against poor and struggling residents of Lagos State.
According to HURMA, this warning became necessary following increasing reports of alleged illegal demolition of houses in Lagos and the use of the Nigerian Police Force to undermine the rule of law.
The most recent allegation was reported to HURMA a few days ago regarding what was described as corrupt and unlawful activities carried out by LASBCA on December 2, 2025, at No. 23/25 Popo-Ola Street, Lady-Lak, Bariga, Lagos State.
Representatives of Rights Monitors News, along with other media organisations, visited the location to interview affected community members. Those interviewed claimed that the buildings were demolished without prior notice to occupants or tenants. They also alleged that the demolition was influenced by a collaboration between LASBCA officials and certain aggrieved family members disputing ownership of the properties.
Although four buildings were affected—numbers: 21, 23, and 25—an integrity test conducted by the Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory reportedly confirmed that buildings 23 and 25 were structurally sound. However, efforts to present this certification to LASBCA officials on site were ignored, with officials allegedly stating that they were acting on “orders from above.”
Other News
Some tenants were also reportedly arrested, detained for several days, beaten, and left bloodied while in custody at the Lagos State Taskforce office. They were allegedly released only after paying as much as N200,000 each.
Speaking to the media, HURMA Executive Director, Comrade Buna Olaitan Isiak, condemned the situation, stating that several complaints have been received about LASBCA being used to illegally evict citizens without following due process.
He stressed that occupants should always be properly notified before any demolition exercise. He further accused some LASBCA officials of acting with impunity in collaboration with certain police officers, and called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate and stop such abuses of power.
He warned that the cries of oppressed citizens must not be ignored and appealed for justice on behalf of the now-homeless affected families.
HURMA called on Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the National Human Rights Commission to intervene, ensure justice for the victims, and prevent future occurrences of such alleged misconduct by LASBCA.
