Thousands Evicted From Nigeria Slum Homes

Tens of thousands of Nigerians risk being made homeless as part of redevelopment plans in Lagos, Amnesty International says in a new report.

The rights group said 9,000 people have already been forced from their homes during the first phase of the plans.

“The effects of February’s forced eviction have been devastating,” said Amnesty’s Oluwatosin Popoola.

A local official told the BBC that displaced residents would get priority when new houses became available.

Slums have sprung up all over Lagos as a result of people pouring into the overcrowded city in search of work.
Disease risk

Amnesty has published satellite images showing what it said was “a densely populated area” that was razed to the ground in February.

The group said it took the images to disprove claims by government officials that the affected area was a rubbish dump.

Amnesty said residents were now sleeping in the open, at risk of disease and bandits, and that thousands of people have lost their livelihoods along with their homes.

The report calls on Lagos authorities to halt the forced evictions.