The Third Mainland Bridge in Lagoswas plunged into chaos on Monday morning as a large number of residents from Oworonshoki took to the inward lane to protest the demolition of their homes by the Lagos state government. The demonstration, which began at dawn, brought traffic to a standstill, leaving countless motorists stranded and forcing commuters to seek alternative routes into the mainland.

The protests were sparked by a widespread demolition exercise that commenced in the early hours of Saturday. A combined enforcement team of the Lagos state government began the removal of unapproved buildings located along the Lekki and Iyana Oworosonki coastal lines. Affected residents gathered in significant numbers to voice their outrage, accusing the state government of carrying out the demolitions without adequate prior notice or compensation, consequently rendering many families homeless.

Photo Credit: Punch Newspapers

During the impassioned demonstration, protesters, many carrying placards, confronted Moshood Jimoh, the Lagos Commissioner of Police. They adamantly insisted that they would not disperse from the bridge until all demolition equipment was withdrawn from Oworonshoki, demanding accountability and immediate intervention from the authorities. The gridlock caused by the protest was severe, reflecting the community's profound distress.

In response to the escalating situation and the significant disruption to public order and traffic, security operatives were later deployed to the scene. Their primary objective was to restore order and clear the vital Third Mainland Bridge, allowing for the resumption of traffic flow. As of the time of the protests, the Lagos state government had yet to issue an official response regarding either the ongoing demolition exercise or the widespread public outcry it has generated.