The Lagos State Police Command says the arrested activist, Taiwo Hassan alias Soweto and one of the anti-demolition protesters, Dele Frank, are currently undergoing investigation and will be charged to court following the protest by displaced residents in Lagos yesterday.
Recall that some residents from Makoko, Iyana-Oworo, Owode-Onirin, other communities in the state took to the street on Wednesday, marched from Ikeja Underbridge to the Lagos State House of Assembly protesting demolitions and displacement across the state.
Reacting to the development, the Police says both individuals allegedly led violent protesters and were arrested at the scene of the protest at the blockade of Awolowo Way to the House of Assembly Road for over six hours, causing a breach of public peace, obstruction of traffic, and endangering lives and livelihoods across Ikeja and Alausa.
According to Police Public Relations Spokesperson, SP. Abimbola Adebisi, the leaders were subsequently arrested at the scene of the protest and are being investigated for conspiracy and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace; threatening violence and instigating disorder; inciting the public to cause breakdown of law and order; and obstruction of traffic and unlawful restraint of road users, contrary to the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Anti-demolition protesters alleged unlawful blockade, public disorder
According to the Police, the protest led by Taiwo Hassan Soweto began at the Ikeja Under Bridge, where violent protesters blocked the entire Awolowo Road down to Alausa, carrying a coffin and instigating public disturbance.
The blockade prevented access for medical emergencies and disrupted movements of commuters, including travellers heading to the airport.
The Command stated that its officers exercised restraint while restoring law and order, despite violent confrontations and widespread panic reported in the area, adding that several residents reportedly fainted in their vehicles as trauma and fear spread across Ikeja and Alausa due to the pandemonium created by the protesters.
Assembly gates breached, Police intervene
On arrival at the Lagos State House of Assembly, the Police detachment prevented the protesters from breaking through the gate and surging into the premises.
Police noted that some members of the Assembly addressed the protesters and offered dialogue, promising to transmit their grievances to appropriate quarters.
The Police explained that the appeal was ignored as Soweto allegedly ordered the protesters to sit on the public highway in front of the Assembly, barricading access to other parts of Alausa.
Continuing, the Police said they had no option but to apply minimum force, including teargas, to disperse the crowd and reopen the road. Normalcy was promptly restored, with no deaths or injuries recorded, SP. Adebisi said in a statement.
Following the incident, Soweto and Frank were arrested at the scene and are being investigated.
A white Toyota Canta vehicle with registration number Lagos LND 968 YL, fitted with multiple loudspeakers and two generator sets used to block the highway, was recovered as an exhibit.
The coffin carried by the protesters to cause fear and disturbance of public peace was also recovered.
The Command reiterated that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, no individual, including Soweto, would be allowed to take the law into their hands or jeopardise public safety and order.
Meanwhile, some of the protesters from Makoko, Iyana-Oworo, Owode-Onirin, Ajegunle said there were calling for government attention to end demolition, forced eviction and alleged grabbing of lands across Lagos states.
They alleged that displacement and loss of livelihoods have worsened living conditions and in some cases led to the death of affected residents of Lagos.
