January 28, (THEWILL) — Tear gas, live bullets, and mass arrests marked a chaotic scene at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, as security forces violently dispersed hundreds of residents protesting the ongoing demolition of waterfront communities.
The demonstration, organized by the Coalition Against Demolition and Forced Eviction, began peacefully at the Ikeja Underbridge around 7:00 a.m. Protesters from Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, and Ajegunle marched toward the Assembly complex in Alausa, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Makoko Is Not a Slum” and “Consult the People.”
They were demanding an immediate halt to evictions that have reportedly displaced over 30,000 people since December 2025.
Tensions boiled over when the protesters reached the Assembly gates, which were barricaded by the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and patrol vehicles.
Despite attempts by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, to prevent entry on the grounds of preventing “hoodlum interference,” the crowd insisted on an audience with lawmakers.
Shortly after three members of the House appeared and subsequently withdrew due to the crowd’s boos, police officers allegedly opened fire and deployed heavy canisters of tear gas.
Witnesses reported that the ensuing stampede left at least 17 people injured. One man was reportedly shot in the leg, while a woman identified as Kafayat Muftaudeen was rushed to Lagoon Hospital, Ikeja, after collapsing from tear gas inhalation.
The police arrested several individuals at the scene, including prominent activist Hassan Taiwo Soweto, a leader of the #EndBadGovernance Movement and the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM).
Soweto was reportedly bundled into a police van after challenging the decision to block the protesters’ access to the complex.
Journalists covering the event were also caught in the fray; several reporters were tear-gassed, and some alleged that security operatives attempted to seize their equipment.
In a joint statement issued after the crackdown, a coalition of 10 civil society groups, including Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) and CEE-HOPE, condemned the “arbitrary and inhumane” treatment of the urban poor.
They alleged that the state government is using “safety regulations” as a pretext to clear land for private luxury real estate projects, ignoring a court injunction intended to protect the residents.
The Lagos State Government, through Commissioner for Information Gbenga Omotoso, had recently defended the demolitions as a “preventive” measure to protect lives from the hazards of high-tension power lines.
However, community leaders maintain that the state has breached agreements by demolishing structures far beyond the 250-meter safety setback.
As of Wednesday evening, activists are calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Soweto and other detained residents, warning that the humanitarian crisis in the waterfront communities is reaching a breaking point.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
