Over 1,000 homeowners, business operators, and community leaders in Igbo Efon and neighbouring communities along the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway have appealed to the Federal Government to halt new demolition plans following the recent marking of their properties.

The residents say their buildings were slated for removal under a directive reportedly issued by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, which instructs occupants to vacate all structures within 150 metres of the high-water mark or face demolition.

Speaking on behalf of the Coalition of Project-Affected Persons (PAPs), Mr. Tolu Ademiluyi condemned the action as a violation of constitutional rights, arguing that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) does not legally support retroactive evictions or demolition of lawfully acquired properties.

Ademiluyi called on the Federal Government to suspend enforcement of the 150-metre coastal setback pending judicial review and public consultation.

In a statement titled “Our Homes, Our Rights: Rejecting Retroactive Eviction Under the Guise of UNCLOS”, the group said residents had lawfully occupied and invested in the area for more than 30 years, obtaining approvals from Lagos State planning authorities. Homes, schools, businesses, and places of worship were established without government objection, they added.

The coalition’s legal adviser, Mr. Sola Enitan, demanded an immediate suspension of demolitions and land acquisitions linked to the highway project that do not comply with constitutional and statutory provisions. He also called for disclosure of all acquisition instruments, gazette notices, and valuation reports.

Enitan further alleged that affected residents had not received formal written notices, and no transparent valuation of properties had been conducted. He described recent demolitions under armed supervision as creating an atmosphere of coercion and fear, violating Sections 43 and 44 of the Constitution, the Land Use Act, and established judicial precedents.

Reacting, Hon. Noheem Babatunde Adams, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing the area, urged residents to engage in dialogue with the authorities, noting that plans for the coastal road predated some estates in the corridor. He also stressed that prospective buyers should conduct due diligence with the Surveyor-General’s office.

Meanwhile, the PAPs reiterated calls for a transparent compensation and resettlement framework, advocating for site-specific environmental and risk assessments rather than imposing a uniform buffer zone.

Ademiluyi emphasised that while residents support environmental protection, sustainability policies must respect due process, human rights, and the rule of law. The group remains open to dialogue but vowed to pursue legal and civic action to protect their homes if necessary.