Police officers stationed at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa on Wednesday used teargas against dozens of Makoko residents and civil society activists who were protesting ongoing waterfront demolitions in the community.
Scores of protesters, including youth leader Hassan Taiwo Soweto, were arrested during the demonstration.
The protesters, composed of displaced Makoko residents, other Lagosians, and members of activist groups such as the #EndBadGovernance Movement, marched to the Assembly to demand an immediate halt to the evictions, compensation for affected families, and enforcement of the previously agreed 100-metre setback from high-tension power lines.
They accused the Lagos State Government of extending demolitions beyond initial safety agreements, displacing thousands, and worsening a humanitarian crisis.
Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Lagos State coordinator of the #EndBadGovernance Movement, was reportedly rough-handled during his arrest, alongside other demonstrators.
Eyewitnesses said police dragged those detained into the Assembly complex while firing multiple canisters of teargas at a largely unarmed crowd, including women who had gathered to seek dialogue with lawmakers.
“Lawmakers watched as police unleashed teargas and live ammunition on unarmed protesters, including women, whose only crime was asking to speak to their representatives,” said Zikora Ibeh, Assistant Executive Director at Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), in a statement during the protest.
READ ALSO: Displaced Makoko residents take protest to Alausa over forced evictions, demolitions
The demonstration follows a similar protest on January 15 at the same venue, where the House Committee Chairman on Information, Strategy, and Security, Hon. Stephen Ogundipe Olukayode, assured protesters of intervention to stop the demolitions. Despite the assurance, evictions reportedly continued, fueling renewed outrage.
The Makoko demolitions, which began in late December 2025 to clear space around power lines, have displaced thousands, destroyed homes, schools, clinics, and places of worship, and drawn condemnation from human rights groups over alleged excessive force.
Previous demolitions reportedly involved teargas use that resulted in deaths and injuries, sparking nationwide criticism.
Civil society groups have vowed to continue monitoring the situation and call for accountability, emphasizing that sustainable solutions must protect residents’ rights while addressing safety concerns around power infrastructure.