‘Protesters were dispersed with minimum force’ -Lagos police insist no civilians were injured at Ikeja protest against demolition
The Lagos State Police Command has denied that any protester was injured during Wednesday’s anti-demolition protest in Ikeja, despite the circulation of photos and videos suggesting otherwise.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the police spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, said officers deployed to the protest used “minimum force” and showed restraint, even in what she described as a violent confrontation initiated by demonstrators.
According to the police, the protest caused major disruption in the Alausa area after demonstrators blocked Awolowo Way and the road leading to the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Adebisi claimed the road blockade prevented residents with medical emergencies from accessing hospitals and also affected travellers heading to the airport.
She alleged that the protesters deliberately created the chaos, accusing their leader, Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as “Soweto”, of instructing participants to sit on the highway in front of the House of Assembly, thereby obstructing traffic.
“The unlawful blockage of Awolowo Way down to the House of Assembly Road hindered the movement of road users, including those with urgent medical needs and those travelling out of the country,” the statement read.
The police said officers were left with no choice but to disperse the protesters using tear gas in order to restore order and reopen the road.
“At that point, the police detachment had no other option than to apply minimum force to disperse the protesters with tear gas, after which the road was reopened and normalcy promptly restored,” Adebisi said.
She maintained that no deaths or injuries were recorded during the operation, insisting that the police acted professionally and in the interest of public safety.
