The Lagos State government and police have been denounced by human rights organizations, activists, and social media users for their handling of residents protesting home demolitions on Wednesday. Police used tear gas to disperse hundreds of demonstrators in Ikeja who claimed they were being evicted without sufficient compensation or relocation. Protesters from Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin, and other communities carried placards with messages such as “A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor” and “Lagos is not exclusively for the wealthy.”

The demonstration began at the Ikeja Under Bridge and proceeded towards the Lagos State House of Assembly, where protesters demanded adequate relocation plans and compensation for those affected by previous demolitions. However, they were met by Commissioner of Police Moshood Jimoh, who denied them access to the Assembly, citing that the protest obstructed public highways. Tensions rose as police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd, causing panic and injuries among protesters and journalists.

In defence of the police actions, Jimoh stated that while peaceful protest is permitted, blocking roads poses a risk to all. “Peaceful protest is allowed, but when it blocks a public highway, it becomes hazardous to lives, including those of the protesters themselves,” Jimoh said. “I cannot allow vehicles to run over protesters under my watch.”