By: Manoah Kikekon
.png) |
Lagos, Nigeria — Tensions boiled over on Wednesday as officers of the Lagos State Police Command forcibly dispersed a peaceful protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly. Residents from Oworonshoki, Makoko, and Owode Onirin had gathered to demand an end to the ongoing mass demolitions that have left thousands homeless across the state.
The demonstration, organized by displaced homeowners and supported by the Take It Back (TIB) movement, began as a plea for government intervention. Protesters marched to the Assembly complex calling for an immediate halt to the destruction of their communities. Beyond stopping the excavators, the group demanded fair compensation for lost property and justice for individuals reportedly killed or injured during the clearance exercises.
However, the atmosphere shifted abruptly when police units deployed teargas canisters into the crowd. Witness accounts describe a scene of panic as demonstrators fled the stinging fumes. Several protesters sustained injuries during the scramble, while others were intercepted and detained by security forces.
Among those taken into custody was prominent activist Hassan Taiwo, popularly known as Soweto. His arrest was confirmed by Jamiu Towolawi, a co-leader of the protest and member of the Take It Back movement.
"We came to seek an audience with our representatives, but we were met with force," Towolawi told reporters. "They are arresting people for simply asking for a roof over their heads."
As of Wednesday evening, the Lagos State Police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, has not responded to inquiries regarding the legality of the arrests or the use of force against the civilians.
The recent wave of demolitions is part of a broader urban renewal and coastal safety initiative by the Lagos State Government. The timeline of the "cleanup" includes, September 6, 2025. Commencement of the removal of "unapproved" structures along the Lekki and Iyana Oworonshoki coastal lines. December 23, 2025, Resumption of demolitions in Makoko, where excavators destroyed numerous buildings, sparking a humanitarian crisis during the festive season.
While the government maintains these structures are illegal or pose environmental risks, affected residents argue they have been settled in these areas for generations and have been given no viable relocation options.