Nigerian police fired tear gas on Jan. 28 to disperse more than 1,000 residents protesting demolitions in Makoko, a large floating slum in Lagos. Authorities say many wooden stilt homes were built illegally and too close to high-voltage power lines; the clearance has displaced thousands. One protester was injured and taken to hospital, and demonstrators demanded to be addressed by the state governor. Makoko, founded as a fishing village over 100 years ago, is home to an estimated 80,000–200,000 people amid Lagos's broader housing crisis.
Lagos Tear-Gas Clash: Makoko Demolition Sparks Mass Protest, One Injured
Members of the Nigerian police lob teargas canisters to disperse demonstrators during a protest by residents of Makoko riverine community over the demolition of their stilt houses in Lagos, Nigeria, January 28, 2026. REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun
Lagos, Jan. 28 — Nigerian police fired tear gas on Wednesday to disperse more than 1,000 residents protesting the demolition of homes in Makoko, one of Africa's largest floating slums. Officials have been removing wooden stilt houses they say were built illegally and too close to high-voltage power lines; the operation has displaced thousands.
Members of the Nigerian police lob teargas canisters to disperse demonstrators during a protest by residents of Makoko riverine community over the demolition of their stilt houses in Lagos, Nigeria, January 28, 2026. REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun
The crowd marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly to demand answers and to be addressed by the state governor, whose office is nearby. When protesters ignored police orders to disperse, officers used tear gas to break up the demonstration. One protester sustained a leg injury and was taken to hospital.
Members of the Nigerian police lob teargas canisters to disperse demonstrators during a protest by residents of Makoko riverine community over the demolition of their stilt houses in Lagos, Nigeria, January 28, 2026. REUTERS/Sodiq Adelakun
"We were tear-gassed at Alausa. Look at this person, he left his house and now he has become disabled," protester Yawo Gburo said, referring to the injured demonstrator.
Background
Makoko began as a fishing village more than a century ago and is home to thousands of mostly low-income Nigerians. There is no official headcount; nonprofit groups estimate the population ranges from about 80,000 to 200,000 residents. The megacity of Lagos, which has an estimated population exceeding 20 million, faces a severe housing shortage that has driven the growth of informal settlements like Makoko.
What Happened
Lagos state authorities, backed by armed police and excavators, say the demolitions target illegally constructed homes, particularly those dangerously close to power lines. Residents and advocacy groups say the clearance has been heavy-handed and has left many families homeless. Lagos police did not immediately comment on Wednesday's events.
Reporting: Kazeem Sanni and Sodiq Adelakun; Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Hugh Lawson. (Reuters)
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