Human rights body, Amnesty International, has accused Lagos State authorities of unlawful demolition at Alaba Rago Market in Ojo local government area and rendering hundreds of families homeless and thousands of traders without livelihood.

The organisation said the demolition, which took place only one month into a six-month notice, showed government’s contempt for the rule of law and due process.

Recall that homes and shops that had been in existence for decades were flattened by government bulldozers, leaving many residents injured after being tear-gassed while trying to salvage their possessions.

However, in its statement Tuesday, Amnesty International demanded urgent accountability.

It said: “Lagos State authorities must immediately establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the shocking incident at Alaba Rago and provide adequate housing and compensation to all those who have lost their means of livelihood and homes.”

The organisation also stressed that international standards were breached.

It noted, “International law prohibits forced eviction and deliberate destruction of property.

“The traders at Alaba Rago have been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment for which suspected perpetrators must be brought to justice as a matter of urgency.”

Amnesty International also criticised the state’s decision to move ahead before the expiration of its own deadline.

“Carrying out the demolition only one month into the six months’ notice issued to the traders shows deliberate contempt for the rule of law and due process,” the organisation said.

“For many locals, Alaba Rago was more than just a marketplace—it was their home, workplace, and lifeline. Now, entire families are displaced, businesses lie in ruins, and livelihoods are shattered” it added.

It noted that without immediate relief, the hardship facing the displaced could worsen dramatically.