Lagos—Yesterday, the Lagos State Government demolished 19 buildings at New Mandela Plaza within the Trade Fair Complex, prompting widespread anger among traders. The operation, executed under heavy security by the Lagos State Task Force, Rapid Response Squad, and other tactical units, saw armed officers restrict access and disperse traders attempting to record the demolition.
By the time of this report, several targeted structures had been reduced to rubble. Traders, many claiming they received no prior notice, expressed shock and frustration. One trader lamented, “We don’t even know why this is happening. People are just running around, confused.” Another speculated the buildings were targeted for their proximity to a canal.
A plaza owner, watching his shop being demolished, shouted from his car that no notice was issued. Sales representatives reported goods still locked inside shops were destroyed. Traders estimated the 19 affected buildings were each worth over N150 million. One fumed, “If the government doesn’t want businesses here, they should say so. People have invested their life savings.”
Chief Magnus Ike, CEO of Magnus Merchandise, watched his multi-billion-Naira property crumble. He insisted his building had federal approval and had been inspected by the Ministry of Environment. “No notice was served by the state government. Due process requires notification, not crushing investments overnight,” he said, dismissing claims his property was on a canal. Defiant, he declared, “Demolition or not, I’ll keep building. Lagos is for everyone.”
His brother, Mr. Magnus Ikenna, equally distressed, noted no signs of demolition were evident as late as Wednesday. “This morning, they came with bulldozers and tear gas. They claim we lack state approval, but we’ve operated under federal authority since 2000. How can rules change overnight?” He gestured at the rubble, adding, “This took years to build. Many of us borrowed from banks. How do we repay now? The government must help before people collapse from stress.”
Government’s Stance
The Lagos State Government defended the demolition. Jubril Gawat, Senior Special Assistant on New Media to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, stated on X that the operation targeted illegal developments, unapproved structures, defective buildings, and those on road setbacks or drainages. “The state can no longer tolerate developments that block infrastructure and endanger lives,” he said.
The operation involved the Ministry of Physical Planning, Lagos State Building Control Agency, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, and the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, with security backup. Following the outcry, the government halted the demolition and ongoing constructions. Market leaders met with state officials, scheduling further discussions for next Tuesday.
