Security forces used gunfire and tear gas on thousands of people in a Nigerian slum. Rights groups claim that the actions were to make way for demolitions of the slum houses—in spite of a recent court order against them.
The demo operation is unfolding in Lagos, the sprawling commercial hub of one of Africa’s largest economies.
Both the military and the police were at the scene in the Otodo-Gbame waterfront community, says Nigerian researcher, Morayo Adebayo. He is calling the situation “chaotic and dangerous.”
Bulldozers have already destroyed the homes there. Residents have been picking through large mounds of trash in order to salvage objects.
There were no immediate reports of deaths.
A High Court ruling in January prohibited such slum evictions. The judge called them “degrading.” He told authorities to seek a settlement with residents instead.
Over 30,000 Otodo-Gbame residents were evicted in November. But they had begun to rebuild—even as tensions grow in the city over land use and development.
There was no immediate comment from the Lagos state government.
Lagos is home to about 21 million people. It is said to be Africa’s second largest city.
(Photo: AP)
