Lagos State
Lagos Police Restore Order After Oworonshoki Residents’ Protest on Third Mainland Bridge
A tense standoff on the Third Mainland Bridge on Monday has ended, with the Lagos State Police Command confirming that order has been restored after residents of the Oworonshoki community blocked the highway in protest.
The demonstrators, who are occupants of unapproved buildings along the Iyana Oworonshoki coastline, took to the bridge after their homes were demolished on Saturday by a combined enforcement team of the Lagos State Government.
According to reports, the residents had been served a one-month quit notice but refused to vacate, prompting the demolition exercise and subsequent protest that triggered gridlock across the busy corridor.
Providing an update on his social media account, the Command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed that normalcy was restored after Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally visited the scene to address the protesters.
“Calm has been fully restored on the 3rd Mainland Bridge after the swift intervention of CP Olohundare Jimoh. The Lagos Police Commissioner ensured safety and order, and reopened the road. Traffic is now flowing smoothly,” Oluseyi wrote.
Traffic has since resumed, but the incident has reignited debates around housing rights, urban planning, and forced evictions in Lagos State.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
Why Lagos is Demolishing Waterfront Buildings
The demolition of houses along the Iyana Oworonshoki coastline is part of the Lagos State Government’s ongoing urban renewal and environmental protection efforts.
🌊 Flooding & Environmental Concerns
Authorities argue that unapproved waterfront structures obstruct drainage channels and worsen flooding and coastal erosion, especially during the rainy season.
⚖️ Legal & Safety Issues
Most of the demolished properties were reportedly illegal constructions lacking proper government approval. Officials say such buildings not only endanger residents but also compromise the structural integrity of Lagos’ coastline.
🏙️ Urban Planning & Beautification
The Lagos government has also linked the exercise to its plans to revamp the waterfront for tourism, transportation, and infrastructure projects, in line with the state’s long-term urban masterplan.
👥 Human Impact
Despite these justifications, demolitions often spark outrage due to the displacement of families, inadequate resettlement plans, and economic hardship for affected residents. Critics say the government must balance urban renewal with humanitarian considerations and affordable housing solutions.