Makoko Demolitions: Protesters Tear-Gassed, Arrested in Lagos

Pandemonium broke out on Wednesday, as men of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, of the Lagos State Police Command, fired teargas at hundreds of residents protesting series of demolitions of buildings, particularly Makoko and Iyana-Oworoonsoki areas of the state.

The incident took place outside the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, forcing workers and passers-by and protesters to flee helter-skelter for safety.

The demonstrators displayed banners with different inscriptions calling on government to save their souls.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing protesters injured during the police crackdown, although organisers have not yet released an official casualty count.

Men of the RRS, who were stationed at strategic spots, blocked access to the Lagos State House of Assembly at about 1.30 p.m.

“Policemen at the scene of the ongoing protest began shooting teargas at us t o disperse protesters. Many of us were injured in the process,” one of the protesters told Vanguard.

“We have been heavily tear-gassed at the Lagos State House of Assembly and some of us have been arrested, including comrade Soweto,” another protester told Vanguard.

See the video here: Makoko protest video