Rights Groups Appeal to Foreign Missions Over Police Conduct and Eviction Crackdowns

A coalition of civil society organisations has reached out to foreign embassies and diplomatic missions in Nigeria, urging international attention over alleged abuses by the Lagos State Police Command and authorities. The group accused senior police officials of presiding over a pattern of violent enforcement actions, including forced evictions, crackdowns on protests, unlawful detentions, and killings of residents in affected communities.

The petition claims that these events have undermined basic human rights protections and intensified fears among vulnerable populations impacted by demolitions and displacement. The activists argued that residents have been subjected to excessive force with little accountability, prompting their appeal for diplomatic intervention and monitoring of the situation.

This outreach comes amid broader concerns raised by rights observers about state responses to urban development issues and protests in major Nigerian cities, where forced evictions have displaced thousands and drawn criticism from both local and international civil society groups.