A demolition operation by the Lagos State Building Control Agency displaced a new mother of twins in the Abule-Oshun area of Lagos while six buildings were brought down for safety-concerns.
A team from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) carried out a demolition exercise yesterday at about 8:30 a.m. on Basil Chibueze Close, Abule-Oshun, Lagos State, targeting several buildings deemed distressed. The demolition included two uncompleted structures and four occupied buildings, one of which was inhabited by a woman who had given birth to twins just two months earlier.
Witnesses said the officials initially approached a completed building but, upon inspection of the plan documents, shifted to an uncompleted one while negotiations were under way. During the demolition the mother and her twins “were not allowed to pick any of their belongings.” Household items could be seen in the portion of the building left standing, including a fan atop the remains of a wall.
When contacted, LASBCA’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Adu Ademuyiwa, stated that the structures had been served notices and were in distress, adding: “no building will tell you that I am coming down today, and Lagos State cherishes safety of lives of every individual.” He emphasized that the agency had previously visited the site and warned occupants, arguing that delaying action would risk collapse, particularly in the rainy season.
Despite the agency’s rationale, local residents expressed confusion and sadness, pointing out that the houses had been marked in September and they had been told to prepare for approval processes. The timing of the demolition – while an occupant with newborn twins was present – has raised questions about the process’s sensitivity to vulnerable residents.