The Oworonshoki community in Lagos is experiencing escalating tension due to ongoing forceful demolitions and alleged state intimidation, which has led to serious health issues for detained protesters and reported arson by authorities. Residents have been demonstrating against these activities, which they describe as illegal, leading to the arrest of 13 individuals on November 3, 2025, during a peaceful protest.

The plight of the arrested protesters has worsened with a recent development at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre. On Tuesday, 79-year-old Mr. Ebun Ikuejagbaiye collapsed shortly after Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje of the Lagos State Magistrate Court, Sabo – Yaba, once again refused to approve their bail. This marks the second such incident, following the collapse of 67-year-old Mr. Odewale Samuel last Thursday, both while in custody. The Magistrate reportedly based her refusal on claims that the tax records presented by the sureties were “too low,” a decision that community members allege came minutes after she was informed of resumed demolition activities in Oworonshoki. There are growing suspicions that judicial decisions are being influenced to stifle resistance to the controversial demolition exercise, with a community leader indicating that the court was warned against releasing protesters to prevent further emboldenment. Both Mr. Ikuejagbaiye and Mr. Samuel remain in detention despite being granted bail by the court, as the Magistrate has not endorsed the bond.

In a separate but related incident, tension in Oworonshoki escalated further on Tuesday as the Lagos State Task Force reportedly set residential buildings ablaze, forcing families to flee for safety amidst chaotic scenes and thick smoke. Eyewitnesses described panicked residents salvaging belongings, with children crying as fires spread. This incident has deepened fear in a neighborhood already contending with ongoing demolition exercises and confrontations with enforcement personnel. Previously, fresh demolition rounds began on Monday in the Coker axis of Oworonshoki, with crews reportedly pulling down structures, including some that residents claim were never marked for removal, and without prior notice. Heavily armed officers of the Lagos State Task Force, accompanied by suspected thugs, were observed on November 23, 2025, with bulldozers nearby, sparking fears of imminent, unannounced demolitions that residents believe defy court orders.

The Oworonshoki Community and the Take It Back Movement have vehemently condemned these developments, characterizing them as a widening pattern of state intimidation against peaceful residents defending their homes. They assert that the collapses of detainees reflect the dangerous consequences of weaponizing the justice system to silence community resistance. The groups have demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all 13 detained protesters, including Mr. Ebun Ikuejagbaiye, urging urgent medical attention and independent evaluation for him. They also call for an end to intimidation, arrests, and harassment of residents and activists, alongside a transparent investigation into the actions of agencies involved in the demolitions and arrests. Despite the intensifying crackdown, community leaders affirm that residents remain united and steadfast, believing that repression cannot silence a community fighting for justice, dignity, and survival.