Lagos State authorities are facing renewed scrutiny following protests over demolitions in Makoko and other waterfront communities.
Residents demonstrated against what they described as forced evictions and land grabbing, but the protest turned chaotic when police deployed teargas to disperse the crowd.
Some participants, including community leader Jude Ojo, claimed that police fired live ammunition in addition to teargas, alleging that one protester sustained a gunshot wound to the leg and required hospital treatment.
“We were unarmed and peaceful. Yet, there were gunshots and teargas,” Ojo told The Morning Brief on Channels Television on Thursday.
He expressed disappointment with the government, saying the incident contradicted democratic principles.
However, Lagos State Police Commissioner Moshood Jimoh denied the use of live bullets.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, he said officers only used minimal force, deploying teargas to restore order.
Jimoh explained that any injuries may have occurred as protesters fled the scene and stressed that no gunshot injury was officially reported.
He described the group as “unknown” and accused them of attempting to forcefully enter the House of Assembly.
The Lagos State Government defended the demolitions, emphasizing public safety, environmental protection, and security concerns.
Officials said the removal of structures under high-tension cables and along waterways was necessary to prevent disasters and protect lives.
“These actions are preventive, not punitive,” said a government representative on Ask Lagos.
Authorities reiterated that the operation aimed to safeguard residents and maintain the city’s long-term sustainability, rejecting claims that the demolitions were “anti-poor” or unnecessary.
The incident has sparked debate about balancing citizens’ right to protest with public safety and urban regulation, highlighting the challenges faced by Lagos in managing dense waterfront communities.
