May 11, 2010
Lagos, Nigeria


The Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC, is deeply concerned about the recent acts of lawlessness, indiscipline and brutality perpetrated by officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Brigade.  Between Monday April 19 and 22, 2010, officials of the KAI Brigade assisted by the heavily armed policemen invaded a section of the Makoko community, in the Yaba Local Government Area of Lagos and forcibly evicted the residents by destroying their homes,  properties and livelihoods.  As a result of this action, over one thousand people, including women, children and elderly were rendered homeless and pushed deeper into chronic poverty.  This action was carried out without adequate notice, consultation, compensation or the provision of alternative accommodation in violation of the rule of law and the fundamental rights of the affected residents.  See full press statement>>>


March 8, 2010
Lagos, Nigeria


The Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC, is deeply concerned about the recent plans by the FCT Department of Development Control to forcibly evict, and demolish the homes of Lugbe residents, a suburb of the FCT located along the International Airport Road, Abuja.  The demolitions, previously scheduled to commence on February 28, 2010, is targeting non-indigenes in Lugbe and its environs.  This latest trend of demolishing structures belonging to non-indigenes in the FCT started in August 2009 following the then demolition of "illegal structures" in Sauka, Todge, Gosa and many human settlements along that corridor.  See full press statement>>>


October 13, 2009
Port Harcourt, Nigeria


In a most unexpected fashion, violence broke out yesterday, October 12, 2009 at the Bundu waterfronts of Port Harcourt Rivers State when the Police, Joint Task Force (JTF) and the army stormed Bundu on a supposed mission to mark houses for demolition.  This scheduled demolitions of Bundu ama waterfronts is the latest in a series of forced evictions and demolitions sweeping through the entire state to pave way for the actualization of Amaechi's dream of a greater Port Harcourt ultra-modern city.  Under a similar urban renewal agenda, under the state-ordered forced evictions, Njemanze waterfront, in August 2009, was felled by Amaechi bulldozers, rendering thousands of residents homeless, impoverished and desperate.   Yet, over forty waterfront communities stand at the mercy of the rampaging bulldozers.  See full press statement>>>


October 5, 2009
Lagos, Nigeria


Acting on a recommendation of the Commission on Human Settlements, the United Nations General Assembly in 1985, passed a resolution (resolution 40/202 A), designating the first Monday of every October as World Habitat Day.  In keeping with this tradition, World Habitat Day is being celebrated all over the world today, October 5, 2009 with the theme:  Planning Our Urban Future.  This theme gives us the opportunity to reflect on the current conditions of our towns and cities and the basic right to adequate shelter for all. See full press statement>>>

 
September 16, 2009
Lagos, Nigeria


On December 3, 2008, the Social and Economic Rights Action Center (SERAC) in collaboration with a US-based leading law firm, Debevoise and Plimpton, filed another landmark communication before the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.  This Communication is brought against the state of Nigeria on behalf of the victims of the July 1990 brutal demolition of Maroko Community in Lagos state, who were forcibly evicted from their homes and businesses by the government of Nigeria in violation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. Maroko evictees have pursued their claims in the Nigerian national courts and other independent bodies for more than 19 years but are yet to obtain any relief, remedy or redress, making legal action in Nigeria both futile and unduly prolonged.  See full press statement>>>