Nigeria, Jan. 19 -- Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has defended the ongoing demolition of structures in Makoko, a waterfront community along the Third Mainland Bridge, saying the action is necessary to safeguard lives and property.

Speaking on Monday after signing the N4.4 trillion 2026 appropriation bill into law, Mr Sanwo-Olu said the demolitions, which began in December 2025, targeted illegal structures built on power-line setbacks and other high-risk areas.

"The safety of lives and property is paramount and must be safeguarded," the governor said. "We had to deploy first responders when a tanker carrying 33,000 litres of fuel fell on a bridge and spilled fuel, and over 100 people were scooping it. If anything had happened, ...