The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed claims that officers shot at residents protesting the demolition of their homes, insisting that no firearm was discharged during Wednesday’s demonstration at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa.
Residents from communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin and Oko Baba had marched to the Assembly, demanding compensation, relocation plans and justice over alleged deaths linked to past demolition exercises.
Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor” and “Justice for Owode-Onirin traders,” the protesters were reportedly denied entry into the complex, leading to heightened tension.
PUNCH Online reported that tear gas was fired to disperse the crowd, affecting several persons, including journalists and a nursing mother, while one protester sustained a leg injury. A photograph of the injured individual later circulated on social media, fuelling claims that he had been shot.
Reacting, the Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, told Channels Television on Thursday that no gun was fired. He said he was personally at the scene and appealed for calm but alleged that protesters became unruly.
According to him, the police engaged the leadership of the House of Assembly, which sent five lawmakers to address the protesters despite being on recess, but the effort failed as the demonstrators insisted on gaining entry.
Olohundare also dismissed claims of bullet wounds, saying the injury was examined by the area commander and found not to be gunshot-related. He explained that injuries may have occurred as protesters fled when tear gas was deployed after warnings were ignored.
