•State Assembly denies ordering force against protesters
Displaced residents of Makoko, Otumara, Owode Onirin, Oworosonki, and Baba-Ijora who marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, Ikeja, yesterday, to express their anger about their eviction and the ongoing demolition of their homes, were dispersed with tear gas by Police officers.

The protesters had converged around the Lagos State House of Assembly complex to kick against the ongoing demolitions in several communities in Lagos, especially as the state government did not adequately consult, compensate, or draw up resettlement plans.

With placards of varied inscriptions, the protesters demanded that the government halt the demolitions.

Some of the placards read “Save our homes,” “Protect our communities”, among others.

As a result of the disruption of the protest, many of the protesters, including residents walking around the corridor, suffered injuries while running away from the scene, especially as tear gas was shot into the air.

Confirming the arrests of the protesters, the Lead Partner at Newworth LLP, Ayodele Ademiluyi, a full-service law firm that specialises in Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) law, demanded the immediate release of those taken into custody.

The legal practitioner also threatened to file a lawsuit against the Lagos State Government if their demand is not met within the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State House of Assembly has denied ordering a crackdown on the Makoko protesters, describing reports of live ammunition and legislative complicity as distortions of the truth.

In an official rejoinder released yesterday, the House distanced itself from the chaotic scenes at the Assembly gates, where activists from the Makoko community had gathered to protest ongoing demolitions.

The Assembly’s statement, signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, painted a picture of a diplomatic effort gone sour.

According to the House, although the legislature was officially on recess, a delegation of five lawmakers, led by Olukayode, attempted to engage the protesters at the complex gates. The Assembly claims the gesture was met with open confrontational behaviour, specifically naming Taiwo Hassan (Soweto) as a primary provocateur.