Commuters faced severe difficulty on the Third Mainland Bridge yesterday after residents of Oworonshoki in Kosofe, Lagos State, blocked the bridge inwards Oworonshoki to protest the demolition of their homes.

The exercise, which began on Sunday, reportedly displaced about 3,000 people. The protest compounded the already heavy traffic in the corridor caused by ongoing repair works on the Ogudu Bridge, forcing commuters to spend several hours in gridlock.

The leader of the protesters, Opeyemi Ogunlami, said: “We didn’t plan the protest; we decided to demand our rights. The Lagos State Government is destroying the lives and property of Oworonsoki people. The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki, came to Oworo and claimed the people didn’t have papers, when in fact they do; they have Certificates of Occupancy (CofO). The government officials want to build their own villas in the area, displacing the poor to benefit the wealthy.”

Ogunlami, who is also a leader of the Take It Back Movement in Kosofe, added: “We have evidence of the estate they want to build there without consideration for the original owners. The world will know that the Lagos State Government wants to harm the poor masses of Oworo if they continue the demolition. The protest will continue on the Third Mainland Bridge. We would rather die on the Third Mainland Bridge than allow it. People are dying. A pregnant woman and a five-year-old child died during the demolition.”

When The Guardian visited the area on Sunday, September 7, 2025, residents were seen sitting outside, discussing their next course of action, while members of churches that had been demolished picked up frames and other belongings.

Residents said officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) marked buildings in the area three months ago without giving a quit notice or explanation.

When contacted, Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, GbengaOmotoso, said: “The Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has directed a pause in the demolition for dialogue. Government officials were present and peace has been restored. The demolition is part of the Urban Renewal Programme (URP), so the government will discuss compensation and other matters.”

Asked if there would be a temporary shelter for those affected, he said, “If the government is conducting work in an area and has notified the people, they will not be discussing temporary shelter.

This exercise has happened before under the programme in Pelewura and Otumara. Everything that needs to be discussed will be addressed.”

On the question of dialogue before the demolition, Omotoso explained: “Community leaders have been engaged in dialogue. The Permanent Secretary of Urban and Regional Development, Gbolahan Oki, addressed the leaders previously.”

He added, “The question to ask those people complaining is if they have approval.”