The Lagos State Police Command has disputed that its officers shot at citizens protesting the demolition of their homes, saying that no shots were fired during Wednesday’s demonstration.
Protesters from Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin, and Oko Baba marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly, demanding suitable relocation plans, compensation, and justice for citizens who were allegedly killed during previous demolition efforts.
Protesters carried signs with messages such as “A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor” and “Justice for Owode-Onirin traders,” demanding compensation, relocation plans, and justice for previous demolitions.
Chronicle NG gathered that tensions escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa when demonstrators were denied entry.
According to the report, several people, including journalists and a nursing mother, were affected by tear gas fired to disperse the crowd. One protester sustained a leg injury.
A photograph of an injured protester being assisted to the hospital went viral on social media, prompting claims that the guy was shot.
Responding to the reports, Lagos State Commissioner of Police Jimoh Olohundare told Channels Television on Thursday that “no gun was fired.” I was there. I begged them to keep calm, but they proceeded to throw obscenities at me. As a police officer, I am trained to work under such conditions, thus I did not respond.”
He stated that the cops tried to handle the issue quietly.
“We spoke with the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly, who promptly — despite being in recess — sent five honourable members to appeal to them. Still, it fell on deaf ears because their aim was to enter the House of Assembly and cause mayhem, which we will not allow.”
He also denied allegations of bullet wounds sustained by one of the protesters. He stated that the matter was reported to the area commander, who examined the injuries and concluded that it was not caused by a bullet.
Jimoh stated that the injuries could have occurred while demonstrators were escaping tear gas.
Teargas was used to disperse the crowd, and some injuries were reported. The police chief explained, “When teargas is fired, people run to leave the scene. It is during that process that some may sustain injuries.
“To our records, nobody reported a gunshot injury to us during the operation after they had been warned that force would be used if they refused to disperse.”
