iDeemlawfulA resident of the recently demolished Makoko slum in Lagos State, Papa Eve Amossou, narrates to AYOOLA OLASUPO his pain following the loss of his three-week-old baby during the demolition in the waterfront community.
What do you do for a living?
I am a carpenter who repairs and constructs canoes in Makoko, Lagos State. I also built a small shop for my wife, where she sold biscuits, garri, and other items.
How old are you?
I am 30 years old.
Can you explain how the demolition began and how your wife ended up in the lagoon?
On that tragic day, we were moving our belongings out when the police suddenly arrived. They fired tear gas without warning, which frightened my wife. She and another child with her jumped into the lagoon.
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I believe the tear gas affected the baby. When they came out of the water, we didn’t realise she had died. We later took her to the hospital, where we were told she was already dead.
The sudden gunshot forced them to jump into the water. Sadly, the baby couldn’t survive the impact of it.
All my belongings were scattered into the lagoon during the demolition. The baby had already died before we reached the hospital, though we only found out there.
How old was the baby?
Her name was Morenikeji. She was not yet a month old, just three weeks.
Where were you at the time?
I was at my canoe repair workshop, which is not close to my house. I was nearby when I got to know about the incident.
Some policemen even advised us to take her to the hospital, but she was already dead before we arrived.
How did your family react when the hospital confirmed her death?
We cried uncontrollably, and people were angry. We questioned whether the demolition was ordered by the government.
We can’t fight the government. Since there is nothing we can do, we left everything to God. If it had been an individual, we would have reported to the police.
Your workshop was affected. How has this impacted you?
Since the demolition, I have lost my means of livelihood. There is nowhere to work. Our homes were also destroyed, and many of us now sleep inside canoes.
How has this affected the wider community?
It has been extremely difficult. Many of us were born here. I grew up in Makoko, learnt carpentry here, married here, and had my children here. The demolition has created serious hardship.
Have you received any assistance?
No support has come. Someone promised to help and told me not to worry, but I have not seen that person again.
What would you tell the government?
We need help, even if it’s just shelter. Having a roof over our heads will ease our suffering while we try to rebuild.
They said houses were too close to power lines. Initially, we were told only 30 houses would be demolished, then 50, then 100. Now, more than 100 houses are gone.
How many children do you have?
I care for three children, including my late brother’s child. The baby who died was my second child.
How are you coping now?
Those with relatives outside Makoko have left. Others, like us, sleep in canoes. Even policemen chased us away, so we now sleep under the bridge in a canoe.
How is your wife coping?
We stay together in the canoe. She has been crying since the baby died. I keep encouraging her.
Aren’t you afraid sleeping in a canoe?
We have no choice. When it rains, it pours directly on us.
Any final thoughts?
We need help from the government and Nigerians so we can have shelter. Many of us have no other place to call home. My father lived here for 40 years and raised all his children here.
Justina – “I lost my only child four days after birth”
My name is Justina Adingba. I am 23 years old.
I was bathing my baby when I heard a loud noise. When I came out, tear gas had been fired, and everywhere was filled with smoke.
I rushed back to my baby and found him coughing badly. We moved him from one hospital to another, but before reaching the General Hospital, he died.
He was born on January 4, 2026, and died four days later. I lost my house and fish business. He was my first child.
I don’t know why this happened to my first child. This will remain a permanent scar in my life.
We are staying with someone, but the place is not suitable. I have received no support because my family members were also displaced.
I want the government to relocate us so we can continue our lives. We just need shelter.
Zeba – “My three houses were demolished”
I am Zeba Justin, a fish seller.
We were told only houses under the power line would be affected, about 30 metres. But over time, more than 400 metres were demolished.
Tear gas was fired without mobilising residents. Many lives were lost.
I lost three houses, including my brother’s. This was unfair. If we were given time, it would have been better.
Our festive plans were ruined. Fish meant for sale were wasted. We only ask the government to pity us or relocate us.
Zinsu – “Tear gas choked my 65-year-old mum to death”
My name is Zinsu Prosper.
My mother was inside the room when tear gas was fired on January 10, 2026. She struggled to breathe and died two days later at 65.
Our house was demolished. I can’t work anymore. We are struggling to raise money for her burial.
We want help with burial costs and relocation. We are still afraid of further demolitions.
Juliet – “My 12-year-old son now feeds us”
My name is Juliet Husaken. I have three children.
All my goods were destroyed. I sell food items. My husband is in Cotonou.
My 12-year-old son now paddles a canoe to earn N3,000 to N4,000 daily for us to survive. We want the government to relocate us.
Petosi – “I now sleep inside a church with my five children”
My name is Petosi Virginia. I sold koko before my house was demolished.
We were not informed. Tear gas was fired suddenly, and many died.
I now live in a church with my five children. My house was destroyed, and we could only salvage roofing sheets.
The tear gas caused pain we will never forget. We want the government to spare remaining houses or relocate us to another place.
original ttext supply: THE PUNCH