Nigerian police fired live bullets and tear gas in Lagos on Wednesday, blocking protesters marching against the demolition of homes in sprawling slum communities.
The demonstration, organised by the Coalition Against Demolition, Forced Eviction, Land Grabbing, and Displacement, began early near Ikeja Underbridge in the city’s north.
Residents from Makoko, Owode Onirin, Oworonshoki, Otumara, Baba-Ijora, and Ajegunle walked together, carrying placards demanding an end to what they called illegal demolitions.
Protesters said state authorities destroyed homes without consultation, compensation, or resettlement, leaving thousands uprooted and scattered like driftwood after a storm.
Tension thickened outside the Lagos State House of Assembly, where police vehicles sealed the gates and officers formed a rigid human barricade.
Police Commissioner Moshood Jimoh said protesters would not be allowed inside, citing fears that “hoodlums” could exploit the gathering.
Activist Hassan Soweto challenged the restriction, noting that labour unions had been granted access during a protest at the same complex in December.
Three lawmakers briefly emerged to address the crowd, but they were drowned out by boos and demands for entry.
Moments later, tear gas burst into the air, sending protesters, journalists, and bystanders running through choking clouds.
A local reporter said he was pushed into tear gas and shot at close range while standing with other journalists.
Eyewitnesses reported police fired live rounds into the air, chased fleeing demonstrators, and arrested several people, including women and elderly residents.
At least 17 people were taken to hospital, as the streets echoed with sirens and the sharp aftertaste of panic.
The protest followed months of demolitions across Lagos, particularly in waterfront settlements where fishing families have lived for generations.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana accused the state government of defying court orders banning forced evictions, citing rulings from 2017 and August 2025.
The Lagos State Government insists the demolitions are necessary for safety and environmental protection, arguing that homes near waterways and power lines endanger lives.
