The Lagos State Police Command has stated that it will file charges against two leaders of a protest that occurred on Wednesday, notwithstanding reports highlighting the peaceful nature of the demonstration.
Contrarily, it was the police who reportedly launched an unprovoked attack on both the protesters and journalists covering the event, resulting in multiple injuries.
PREMIUM TIMES had earlier reported on Wednesday that civil society members joined residents from waterfront communities in Lagos, such as Makoko, Owode Onirin, and Oworonshoki, to protest against ongoing demolition activities orchestrated by the state government.
In a declaration made by Abimbola Adebisi, the Police Public Relations Officer for the state, it was asserted that the protesters obstructed Awolowo Way in front of the Lagos State House of Assembly for more than six hours. The police claimed this action caused a breach of public peace and hindered the public in accessing essential services and emergencies.
The police characterized the demonstrators as "violent," with allegations suggesting they used a coffin and played loudspeakers from a vehicle to intimidate citizens. According to the statement, an individual known as Taiwo Hassan, referred to as 'Soweto,' directed the protesters to block the public highway, denying road users their right to travel.
The police reported that they deployed "minimum force" including teargas to disperse the crowd and cleared the road, asserting that no injuries were recorded during the operation.
The statement also mentioned the arrest of Mr. Soweto and another individual, Dele Frank, on charges of conspiracy, inciting public disorder, threatening violence, and obstructing traffic, along with the seizure of a Toyota Canta vehicle and a coffin used in the protest.
Civil society groups, however, contested the police's claims of the protest being violent, arguing the event remained peaceful and highlighted efforts to target both the demonstrators and journalists.
The police defended their actions as essential for "protecting lives and property" and stated that protests must not interfere with everyday activities. Furthermore, investigations into the roles of the arrested individuals are ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti in anticipation of possible court action.
In the wake of these events, Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) condemned the police's actions as "violent, unlawful, and reprehensible". The organization noted that numerous displaced individuals, including the elderly, faced aggression while attempting to voice their concerns regarding the demolitions and forced evictions.
CAPPA claimed that Mr. Soweto, together with Jacob Akiri and a senior citizen from Makoko, Isaac Doosuga, were forcibly detained after the police commissioner sanctioned the use of tear gas against the crowd.
The organization highlighted that this incident constituted a severe infringement of constitutional rights, with reports of direct tear gas usage against unarmed protesters leading to injuries and causing panic.
A journalist from Daily Family, Oluwaferanmi Oladipupo, along with medical professional Jennifer Rita Obiora, were reported to have needed hospitalization due to exposure to tear gas. Furthermore, several protesters reported the loss of personal belongings, work equipment, and vehicles during the crackdown.
CAPPA refuted claims made by the Lagos State House of Assembly that Mr. Soweto exacerbated the situation, asserting that footage demonstrates he consistently urged protesters to maintain peace.
The organization has called for the prompt release of all detained protesters, the return of confiscated property, the suspension of Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh, and a halt to demolition operations throughout Lagos.
PREMIUM TIMES noted that residents from various areas including Makoko, Owode- Onirin Spare Parts Market, Oworonshoki, Bariga, and Ajegunle protested peacefully near the Assembly, with placards advocating for their rights and against the demolitions.
Reports describe how journalists covering the protest encountered aggressive pushes into the tear gas and gunfire directed at them at close range. One police officer was overheard stating, "We don’t like journalists. Join them now or I’ll shoot you."
Eyewitnesses reported seeing Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh discussing with two female lawmakers shortly before police actions escalated. Senior officers allegedly specifically targeted Mr. Soweto for arrest while he was addressing the seated protesters, with several demonstrators, including older residents, suffering injuries and requiring emergency medical attention.
Ayoyinka Oni from the Coalition Against Demolition criticized the police for their brutality, while Babatunde Yusuf from the Ajegunle Peoples Movement described the police response as excessive, particularly towards older protesters.
Ibrahim Oluwatoba of Voice of the Masses likened the situation to tactics from military regimes, confirming police efforts to block protesters from entering the Assembly area while forcibly separating Soweto from the group.
The Lagos State Government has defended the ongoing demolition exercises, with Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso asserting that structures located along waterways and under high-tension power lines present significant safety concerns.
However, civil society advocates argue that such demolitions disproportionately affect the poor and are executed without adequate consultation, compensation, or resettlement arrangements. The coalition described Wednesday’s occurrences as a severe violation of rights and urged the government to cease forced evictions and engage affected communities through lawful means.
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