The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has welcomed the decision of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to refer complaints over alleged large-scale human rights violations linked to demolitions along the Ibadan Circular Road project to its Oyo State Office for investigation.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, RULAAC said the referral followed a petition submitted on November 18, 2025, by residents of six Local Government Areas in Oyo State—Oluyole, Egbeda, Lagelu, Ona Ara, Akinyele and Ido—who accused authorities of forced evictions and abuse of power.
According to the rights group, the petition alleges the forced displacement of more than 10,000 residents without adequate notice, compensation or resettlement.
“The complaints include reported deaths, injuries and psychological trauma arising from the demolitions, as well as the destruction of homes and livelihoods, which have worsened poverty and social dislocation,” RULAAC said.
The organisation also alleged that the road corridor was unlawfully expanded from 75 metres on each side to about 500 metres on each side without a transparent legal basis or public consultation.
RULAAC further raised concern over the reported deployment of armed security personnel during the demolitions.
“Residents were allegedly prevented from salvaging their belongings, while those who protested peacefully were intimidated,” the statement said.
RULAAC warned that if the allegations are established, they would amount to “grave violations of the rights to life, dignity, property, fair hearing, peaceful assembly and adequate housing,” as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Drawing parallels with similar incidents in Lagos State, RULAAC said it was “deeply concerned that the Ibadan demolitions reflect a dangerous and recurring pattern where development projects are enforced through force rather than law.”
“In both Lagos and Ibadan, the Police and in some cases the military have reportedly been deployed to provide armed cover for demolitions, suppress protests and silence affected communities,” the group said.
It stressed that security agencies are constitutionally mandated to protect citizens, not to enforce potentially unlawful evictions.
“The involvement of armed personnel in civil land disputes escalates trauma, undermines public trust in security institutions and signals governance by force rather than by law,” RULAAC added.
The organisation said the primary responsibility for investigating the allegations and preventing further violations rests with the Oyo State Government, particularly the Office of the Governor, the Ministry of Works, and relevant land and security agencies.
RULAAC called on the state government to immediately suspend further demolitions along the Ibadan Circular Road corridor, conduct a transparent and independent investigation, engage affected communities to assess humanitarian impacts, and make its findings public.
It also demanded fair and adequate compensation, resettlement and livelihood restoration for affected residents, as well as accountability for any public officials or security personnel found culpable.
“From Lagos to Ibadan, development must not be built on displacement, fear and repression,” the organisation said. “Infrastructure development cannot justify human rights violations. While the NHRC’s intervention is welcome, decisive action by the Oyo State Government is urgently needed to restore justice, dignity and public trust.”
