Chaos unfolded at the New Mandela Plaza within Lagos’ Trade Fair Complex on Thursday as the Lagos State Government carried out a massive demolition exercise under tight security. Over 19 buildings were reduced to rubble, sparking outrage among traders and shop owners who claimed they weren’t given prior notice.
Bulldozers, accompanied by armed officers from the Lagos State Task Force, Rapid Response Squad, and tactical units, rolled into the plaza early in the day. Stern-looking security personnel cordoned off the area, restricting access and chasing off traders attempting to record the demolition. Distraught shop owners watched helplessly as their goods, locked inside the buildings, were destroyed along with the properties.
One plaza owner, visibly shaken, shouted in disbelief: _“No notice was served before the bulldozers moved in!”_ Another trader lamented the loss of buildings valued at over ₦150 million each, adding: _“If the government doesn’t want development here, they should just say it. People have invested their life savings here!”_
The Lagos State Government defended the action, stating that the affected structures were illegal, lacked statutory approvals, or were built on road setbacks and drainages, posing risks to infrastructure and public safety. Officials from various agencies, including the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, LASBCA, LASURA, and LASPPPA, oversaw the operation alongside members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
As of press time, no official statement had been issued, but security operatives remained on-site to prevent any unrest. The demolition has left traders devastated, with many demanding clarity and accountability from the government.
