Two young girls were left homeless, frightened, and in tears after their family house was reportedly set ablaze during a demolition operation in the Oworonshoki area of Lagos State. The burning was allegedly carried out by police officers and local vigilantes known as Madanwo, acting on the orders of the Oloworo of Oworonshoki, Oba Saliu Babatunde.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters shows the children — one in her school uniform and the other barefoot — narrating how they were notified that their home had been destroyed before they could return from school.

“They called us from school. Before we even got here, they had already burned the house,” one of the girls said, fighting back tears. “They didn’t let us pick anything. They burned everything.”

The video captures smoke rising from the wreckage while onlookers criticize the destruction, accusing the authorities of burning homes without giving residents time to retrieve their belongings.

Residents in the footage claim police officers and Madanwo vigilantes participated in the operation. They also accused Oba Saliu Babatunde and government-backed groups of continuing forced demolitions even after the government had reportedly ordered a suspension of such actions.

“What is happening in Oworonshoki now is heartbreaking,” a voice in the video laments. “People are at work, children are in school, and they are burning houses. Families have nothing left.”

Residents further alleged that some community members arrested in earlier clashes remained in detention weeks later.

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Arrests and Detention of Aggrieved Residents

SaharaReporters earlier revealed that a 79-year-old resident, Mr. Ebun Ikuejagbaiye, collapsed inside the Ikoyi Custodial Centre on Tuesday after a Lagos Magistrate once again refused to approve the bail of 13 protesters arrested during a peaceful demonstration against ongoing demolitions.

Mr. Ikuejagbaiye has been in detention since November 3, 2025, along with 12 others arrested during what witnesses describe as a lawful protest against alleged illegal demolitions by agents of the Lagos State Government.

Sources reported that the elderly man slumped shortly after Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje of the Lagos State Magistrate Court in Sabo–Yaba declined to sign their bail bond, allegedly citing that the sureties’ tax records were “too low.”

Community members claim the bail denial came moments after the court was informed that demolition activities had resumed in Oworonshoki, sparking concerns that the judiciary is being used to suppress resistance to the controversial operation.

A community leader following the case noted that authorities feared releasing the protesters might strengthen residents’ opposition to the demolitions.

The shocking development reportedly triggered severe emotional distress for Mr. Ikuejagbaiye, contributing to his collapse inside the detention facility.

SaharaReporters learned that Mr. Ikuejagbaiye is the second detainee from Oworonshoki to collapse in custody. Last Thursday, 67-year-old Mr. Odewale Samuel suffered a similar incident at the Ikoyi Prison. Both men remain detained despite being granted bail, which has not been effected due to the Magistrate’s refusal to endorse the release order.

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Community Response

The Oworonshoki Community and the Take It Back (TIB) Movement have condemned the situation, calling it part of a growing pattern of state intimidation aimed at silencing peaceful residents defending their homes.

In a joint statement, the groups warned that the collapse of elderly detainees highlights the dangerous consequences of allegedly weaponising the justice system against vulnerable communities.

They demanded:

• The immediate and unconditional release of all 13 detained protesters
• Urgent medical care and an independent health assessment for Mr. Ikuejagbaiye
• An end to intimidation, arrests, and harassment of residents and activists
• A transparent investigation into the actions of agencies involved in the demolition and arrests