(DDM) – Two children and an adult male were left struggling for their lives after inhaling tear gas allegedly fired by police during a demolition exercise at the Makoko waterfront area of Lagos State.
The incident occurred amid a government-backed operation to demolish structures said to be located dangerously close to a major power transmission line.
Eyewitnesses said the demolition, which began early in the day, quickly descended into chaos when residents resisted the sudden destruction of their homes.
Residents claimed they were not given adequate notice or relocation plans before the enforcement team arrived at the waterfront settlement.
According to multiple accounts, police officers fired tear gas canisters into the densely populated area to disperse residents who gathered in protest.
The tear gas reportedly spread rapidly across the community due to the narrow walkways and clustered wooden structures typical of Makoko.
Two minors were seen gasping for breath and collapsing before being rushed to safety by community members.
An adult male also reportedly lost consciousness after prolonged exposure to the tear gas.
Local volunteers said the victims were revived using water and basic first aid, as no emergency medical team was immediately present.
Residents described the scene as terrifying, especially for children and elderly persons caught in the operation.
Makoko, often referred to as the “Venice of Africa,” is a historic waterfront settlement housing thousands of low-income residents.
The community has long faced threats of eviction and demolition due to urban redevelopment plans and environmental concerns.
Government officials have previously argued that demolitions in such areas are necessary for public safety and infrastructure protection.
However, human rights groups have consistently criticized the use of force in enforcing demolitions in informal settlements.
Critics argue that tear gas deployment in residential areas violates basic human rights and endangers vulnerable populations.
They insist that children should never be exposed to chemical agents under any circumstance.
Photos circulating online from the scene showed distressed residents, damaged structures, and children being carried away from the waterfront.
The images have sparked outrage on social media, with many Nigerians accusing authorities of excessive force and insensitivity.
Civil society organizations have called for an immediate investigation into the conduct of the police during the operation.
They also demanded accountability from the government agency responsible for authorizing the demolition.
Residents questioned why alternative safety measures, such as evacuation notices and medical standby teams, were not implemented.
Some community leaders said the power line had existed for years without previous demolition attempts.
They alleged that the exercise was part of a broader plan to displace waterfront communities under the guise of safety enforcement.
Lagos State authorities have yet to issue a detailed public statement addressing the tear gas incident.
Police sources, however, often maintain that tear gas is used strictly for crowd control and not to cause harm.
Rights advocates counter that the use of such measures in congested slum areas amounts to reckless endangerment.
Makoko has remained a symbol of Nigeria’s urban inequality and policy failures in housing and development.
Experts argue that forced demolitions without humane resettlement deepen poverty and social tension.
Residents warned that continued heavy-handed approaches could provoke unrest and long-term resentment.
They appealed to the government to adopt dialogue-driven solutions rather than force.
As public pressure mounts, many Nigerians are demanding transparency, compensation, and medical support for affected victims.
The incident has once again reignited national debate over urban renewal, human rights, and the treatment of the urban poor.
For Makoko residents, the tear gas episode has become another painful chapter in a long struggle for dignity and survival.