Police officers fired teargas canisters at residents protesting against demolitions in parts of Lagos at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex on Wednesday. The protesters had gathered to oppose demolition exercises affecting communities including Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara and Baba-Ijora.
The residents accused the Lagos State Government of carrying out the demolitions without adequate consultation, compensation or resettlement plans. They began the protest at the Ikeja under-bridge and later moved to the assembly complex, carrying placards calling for justice and an end to the demolitions.
At the assembly entrance, police officers barricaded the gate to prevent the protesters from entering the complex. Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, said access was denied to prevent hoodlums from hijacking the protest, a position challenged by some activists at the scene.
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After lawmakers who came out to address the protesters left amid boos, police officers dispersed the crowd with teargas. Journalists covering the protest were affected, and some demonstrators were arrested, as tensions escalated over the ongoing demolitions across several Lagos communities.
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