Lagos Police slam allegations of shooting protesters during Makoko demolitions

Lagos State Police have denied reports that officers opened fire on residents protesting the demolition of their homes, insisting that no gun was fired during the demonstrations.

The denial came from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, following viral social media claims that a protester had been shot in the leg near the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa.

On Wednesday, residents from communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin, and Oko Baba marched to the Assembly complex demanding proper relocation plans and compensation after the demolition of their properties. Some also called for justice for people who reportedly lost their lives in previous demolition exercises.

A photograph showing an injured protester being assisted to a hospital circulated online, sparking outrage and speculation that the police had used live ammunition. Reports also suggested several protesters were arrested, triggering condemnation from human rights groups, activists, and social media users.

Addressing the allegations, Commissioner Olohundare clarified that police only used teargas to disperse protesters. “No gun was fired throughout the entire process of the protests yesterday,” he said.

He explained that officers were deployed early to secure the route and prevent criminal elements from hijacking the protest. “We moved in on time at Ikeja Under Bridge to provide security so that hoodlums and miscreants won’t go in. We equally received intelligence reports that some of them were already among the protesters carrying dangerous weapons,” he said.

According to the police commissioner, the situation escalated when unidentified individuals joined the protest and disrupted traffic on Awolowo Way, causing inconvenience to the public. “People were trapped in traffic, including those with medical conditions. We had reports of people fainting in their cars and being rushed for medical help,” Olohundare added.

While reaffirming the right to peaceful protest, the police commissioner stressed: “Protest is good. We know protest is freedom of expression and part of the essentials of democracy. For every protest that happens in Lagos, we have police to protect it in a peaceful way. So no gun was fired.”