Coalition Against Demolition, Forced Eviction, Land Grabbing and Displacement in Lagos State has strongly condemned the Lagos State Government and the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Moshood Jimoh, over what they described as the inhumane and violent treatment of peaceful protesters at the Lagos State House of Assembly today.
Peaceful protesters from Makoko, Owode-Onirin spare parts market, Oworonshoki, Bariga, Ajegunle and other communities facing forced eviction in Lagos State, marched from Ikeja Under bridge to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa.
The protesters, many of whom are now homeless, gathered to protest years of forced evictions and demolitions that have left several communities destroyed and families displaced, especially the recent demolition in Makoko.
Speaking to journalists, Zikora Ibeh, Assistant Executive Director, CAPPA Africa, said, “communities across Lagos State have suffered repeated demolitions resulting in the destruction of homes, schools, and livelihoods. These demolitions have led to deaths, injuries, and the breakdown of entire communities.
“Unfortunately, these patterns of forced evictions have been replicated in several communities across Lagos State. Many of our people are now living without shelter or basic means of survival,” she said.
Ibeh noted that “these displaced people gathered to peacefully protest against the demolitions, but the Police began to attack unarmed protesters and helpless women. Lawmakers were there while the police fired teargas and kidnapped some of the protesters.”
She confirmed that Comrade Hassan Soweto was arrested alongside other protesters, with their whereabouts currently unknown, and some others have been injured and are currently in the hospital.
On his part, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, Centre for Human and Social Economic Rights, said “we protesters approached the Lagos State House of Assembly to speak with our representatives, but we were attacked by police officers who fired teargas on peaceful protesters.”
“The Commissioner of Police denied us access to the podium to speak to our representatives at the Lagos State House of Assembly. Instead of listening to our grievances, the police began firing teargas at us, after speaking with some of the lawmakers,” Omotehinse complained.
Demanding the immediate release of the protesters, Comrade Blessing Osugba, Member of the Organising Committee of End Bad Governance in Lagos State, said it was appalling that police could fire teargas at elderly people and teenagers who came out because their homes were demolished.
“We’re demanding the immediate release of those who were arrested. The Police is expected to protect the people, but they are attacking them.
“We will continue the protest until our demands are met, and our demands remain that the Lagos State Government should halt all demolitions and compensate all victims adequately,” she buttressed.
Among those injured was Kafayat Muftaudeen from Oworonshoki community, who was severely affected by teargas. She is currently receiving medical treatment at Lagoon Hospital in Ikeja and is expected to be transferred to Lagoon Hospital in Ikoyi to see a plastic surgeon. Another man was also shot in the leg and has been taken to the hospital. Elderly people from Makoko community were also arrested by the police directly in front of the State House of Assembly.
The coalition described the events as a horrific encounter and urged the government to stop forced evictions and begin meaningful engagement with affected communities to find humane and lawful solutions.