Nigeria's 'Venice' Reduced to Rubble: Makoko Residents Displaced, Future Bleak

• Makoko, often called the "Venice of Nigeria," is being demolished by authorities in Lagos, displacing thousands of residents.
• Officials cite environmental risks, public health concerns, and urban renewal, claiming structures are illegal and too close to power lines.
• Residents, primarily fishermen and informal traders, have no formal resettlement plan and are salvaging materials for temporary shelters.
• The community, founded in the late 19th century, sits on the Lagos Lagoon and has faced eviction threats for years.
• Human rights groups are calling for justice and support for the estimated 80,000-200,000 displaced residents, highlighting housing rights issues.

Why It Matters: Makoko, Nigeria's 'Venice,' faces demolition, displacing thousands with no resettlement plan, raising human rights concerns.