Hundreds of demonstrators on Friday took to the streets of Lagos to protest against worsening hunger and the ongoing demolition of buildings in the Oworonshoki area.
The protest, organised by the Take It Back Movement in collaboration with several civil society organisations, began at the Ikeja Bridge and moved toward the State Secretariat in Alausa, the seat of the Lagos State Government.
Participants, who gathered as early as 7:30 a.m. before setting out around 10:00 a.m., carried placards with messages such as “Stop the Demolitions,” “End Hunger Now,” and “Government Should Protect the Poor.”
The groups accused the state government of enforcing “anti-poor policies,” alleging that the demolitions in Oworonshoki and other parts of the state were carried out without adequate notice or alternative housing for displaced residents.
They said the demolitions had rendered many people homeless and worsened the economic hardship faced by low-income families across Lagos.
Security operatives, including police officers and personnel of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), were deployed along major routes leading to Alausa to maintain order and prevent disruptions.
As of the time of filing this report, the protesters had arrived at the Secretariat complex, chanting solidarity songs and demanding an audience with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu or a representative of his administration to present their grievances.