BREAKING: Several Journalists Injured In Attack By Suspected Lagos Govt Thugs During Otumara Community Demolition

Thugs suspected to be working for the Lagos State government have attacked journalists covering the demolition of houses in Otumara Village, off Apapa Road on Lagos Mainland.

Confirming the incident, one of the affected journalists noted that media personnel from six to seven media houses were targeted.

"Yes, thugs attacked the journalists, and six to seven media houses were affected," the journalist said.

Another affected journalist, Segun Adeboboye, also confirmed the incident to SaharaReporters.

"We were waiting for the press conference to cover the demolition, which has affected over five thousand residents. We wanted to report on the incident and how the displaced residents are now staying in a school, which serves as a temporary shelter."

Adeboboye explained that while waiting, a group of about 15 journalists from different media houses decided to buy something to eat.

"Before we knew it, thugs descended on us. One of the vehicles they arrived in had a plate number linked to the NURTW. They beat us mercilessly, and some of them were armed with batons," he recounted.

The vehicle had a plate number NURTW01, SaharaReporters learnt.

He added that he was struck multiple times with a baton and that several other journalists were also assaulted before community members intervened.

"I was hit with a baton on different parts of my body. In fact, I have never witnessed such a brutal attack on journalists before. People ran into gutters to escape. The thugs robbed us of our phones and gadgets, damaged our equipment, and injured many," he said.

According to Adeboboye, it was only due to the swift intervention of community members that the journalists managed to escape.

"The community members, seeing that we wouldn’t survive without help, mobilised and rescued us," he said.

Following the attack, Adeboboye sought medical attention at a government hospital, where he was given a referral for an X-ray.

He also revealed that despite pleas from the residents for journalists to stay back for the scheduled press conference, they had to leave for their safety.

"If not for the residents' intervention, the thugs wouldn’t have hesitated to kill some of us. We had to prioritise our security. With many of us injured, it was not advisable to stay," he added.

Some of the affected journalists include Oluwatosin Sanni of News Buster; Gbenga Adewale of Seefame News; Seyi Fadoro of Distinct Media; Oluwaseun Adeola Oluwole of Integrity News; Wasue of LTV8; Mr. Stevens of Kaftan TV; Segun Adeboboye of Control TV, and Aigboje Ikhuoria of ITV.

SaharaReporters learnt that thugs in the area have a history of terrorising residents, a pattern that continued with this attack on journalists.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that global human rights body, the Amnesty International, condemned the violent forced eviction of over 10,000 residents of the Ilaje-Otumara community in Lagos, describing it as a gross violation of human rights.

The demolition, which took place on Friday, March 7, 2025, left thousands of people homeless without consultation, adequate notice, compensation, or alternative housing.

In a statement released on Monday, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Director, Isa Sanusi, criticised the Lagos State government for its “ruthless campaign of demolition” in defiance of international human rights laws to which Nigeria is bound.

Isa noted that the forced eviction at Ilaje-Otumara was carried out in defiance of a subsisting court order of June 22, 2017, and despite pledges by the government to upgrade the community with necessary facilities.

Amnesty International explained the harrowing impact on affected families, many of whom lost everything, including their livelihoods.

The organisation also accused the Lagos government of repeatedly using forced evictions to dispossess impoverished residents of their land, leaving them destitute.

According to Amnesty, armed security forces, accompanied by unidentified men commonly known as “area boys,” carried out the demolition.

These men were reportedly armed with machetes, guns, and axes, resulting in injuries among residents, while some families reported missing children.

The statement read, “Amnesty International strongly condemns the violent forced eviction of Ilaje-Otumara community of Lagos on Friday 7 March 2025 rendering over 10,000 people homeless.

“Lagos state government must halt its ruthless campaign of demolition which has been carried without any consultation, adequate notice, compensation or alternative housing being offered to those affected – in complete defiance of international human rights law to which Nigeria is bound.

“The forced eviction at Ilaje-Otumara was carried out in defiance of a subsisting court order of 22 June 2017 and despite pledges by the government to upgrade the community with facilities. Families affected by the demolition are now stranded, with many losing everything – including their means of livelihood.

“Every now and then the Lagos state government uses forced evictions to take land from people living in poverty, regardless of the impact of such action on the affected communities that always end up destitute.

“The forced eviction at Ilaje-Otumara was carried out by armed security forces backed by unidentified men widely known as ‘area boys’ who were armed with machetes, guns and axes. Many of the affected people were left with injuries and some families reported that they could not trace their children.

“Lagos must be an inclusive city, and a mega Lagos must not come at the expense of the lives and livelihood of communities living in poverty who are being punished for the decades of government’s urban planning failures.”

"Lagos state government must place a moratorium on mass evictions, investigate use of violence during forced evictions, and provide effective remedy to all those in Ilaje-Otumara whose human rights have been violated," Isa added.