9,000 evicted, thousands more threatened in Lagos

[August 12, 2013]  LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) -- Amnesty International says 9,000 people have lost homes and livelihoods and thousands more are threatened in a slum area of Lagos destroyed by armed police and bulldozers.

The London-based human rights organization says a state government official claimed they destroyed "a rubbish dump."

But Amnesty published satellite images Monday showing concrete and other structures in "a densely populated area" razed to the ground Feb. 23.

It said residents are sleeping in the open prey to disease and bandits; children are out of school; thousands have lost livelihoods.

The state government spokesman did not answer calls.

Rights groups say tens of thousands have lost homes and workplaces in government efforts to improve facilities in the city of nearly 20 million with no regard for what happens to those in the way.

[Associated Press]

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