A coalition of protesters under the banner of the Coalition of Concerned Individuals staged a peaceful demonstration in Lagos, demanding fair and adequate compensation for property owners affected by the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project.

The protest, held on Thursday, July 17, drew attention to the plight of residents and business owners whose properties were demolished to make way for the multi-billion-naira infrastructure initiative.

Protesters decried the lack of transparency, insufficient compensation, and what they described as government indifference to the human cost of the project.

Speaking during the protest, the Coalition’s spokesperson, Mr. Shina Loremika, criticised the government’s handling of the demolitions, accusing it of flouting due process and dispossessing citizens without adequate restitution.

“The government cannot continue to treat people like statistics. You cannot take over private property without proper compensation. It is unjust, it is unconstitutional, and it must be addressed,” Loremika stated.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to connect multiple southern states via a strategic coastal route, has faced mounting criticism for how demolitions have been carried out.

Civil society organisations and community members have pointed to widespread displacement and financial losses.

Earlier protests had erupted in the Okun-Ajah area of Lagos, where residents and business owners accused the government of forcibly evicting people without proper dialogue or compensation mechanisms in place.

As legal battles continue in court, affected individuals and rights groups insist they will not back down until the government offers justice and relief to those impacted.

The #JusticeForCoastalRoad campaign has since gained traction online, with thousands of Nigerians calling for accountability, transparency, and a more humane approach to national development. (The Nation)