Demolitions in Makoko, a waterfront community in Lagos, have displaced thousands of residents, with families saying they were given little warning and no clear relocation plan.

Demolitions in Makoko, a waterfront community in Lagos, have displaced thousands of residents, with families saying they were given little warning and no clear relocation plan. 

The centenary-old community has an estimated population of 80,000 to 200,000, but large parts of the settlement have been destroyed. Anger over the demolitions recently spilled onto the streets in Lagos city, with witnesses reporting the use of tear gas. Residents allege that three people, including a woman and two infants, died, though police say this has not been verified. 

The Lagos State Government says the demolitions were for safety reasons, citing buildings near high-tension power lines, and has promised support for those affected. The BBC’s Chiamaka Dike visited Makoko to speak to displaced residents and document the aftermath.