Lagos: Investors Protest Arrest of Site Worker, Demand Compensation Over Lagos Demolitions

A coalition of civil society organisations and foreign investors, under the banner Coalition of Civil Society Organisations and Foreign Investors of Nigeria, held a peaceful protest in Lagos on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of Mr. Ola Obanla, a site worker with WinHomes, who was reportedly arrested by military personnel.

Protesters gathered at the Lagos liaison office of the Federal Ministry of Works, accusing the ministry of escalating tensions through demolitions in the Okun-Ajah area, where land is being cleared for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. They also called for adequate compensation for residents and investors whose properties were affected.

Obanla was allegedly detained during a standoff over the demolitions following a visit by Minister of Works, David Umahi, to the site. According to the coalition’s coordinator, Mr. Shina Loromikan, Obanla was taken away by soldiers after a disagreement with the minister and has not been seen or heard from since.

“Nobody knows where he is—his family, the community, even the police claim no knowledge,” Loromikan said. “If he’s not charged within 48 hours, this becomes an illegal detention. The minister must act or we’ll return to the streets.”

Protesters, holding placards with messages like “Free Obanla” and “Today it’s WinHomes, tomorrow it could be your land”, marched from Tafawa Balewa Square to the ministry office, also calling for the withdrawal of soldiers allegedly deployed by the Works Ministry.

The coalition described the demolitions as non-transparent and lacking adequate stakeholder engagement. They criticised what they termed “token compensation” offered to affected property owners, many of whom, they said, are Nigerians in the diaspora.

A simultaneous protest was also held in Abuja, with the coalition submitting a formal petition to the Ministry of Works. Among their demands: Obanla’s immediate release, a halt to demolitions pending proper dialogue, restoration of the original highway alignment, and full transparency in the execution of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

“This is no longer just about Obanla,” Loromikan said. “It’s about protecting property rights, ensuring justice, and defending democratic values.”