Tension As Police Disperse Sowore, Take It Back Movement Members At Oworonshoki Demolition Protest In Lagos

 

The Oworonshoki area of Lagos witnessed chaos on Monday when police officers fired teargas canisters to disperse protesters demonstrating against the recent demolition of buildings by the Lagos State Government. Among those affected was former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, who had joined the residents to condemn what he described as a gross injustice against the people of the community.

The demonstration, organized by the Take It Back Movement, aimed to draw attention to the plight of residents whose homes were recently pulled down. Many of the affected residents claimed they were not issued any prior notice before the demolition exercise began, leaving them stranded and homeless. Eyewitnesses described the protest as peaceful until police operatives arrived and began firing teargas into the crowd shortly after Sowore appeared at the venue.

Sowore, who is also the convener of the Take It Back Movement, addressed the crowd moments before the chaos broke out. He criticized the state government’s action, accusing it of targeting poor residents without providing any form of alternative shelter or compensation. The activist emphasized that the people of Oworonshoki deserved justice and humane treatment, arguing that demolitions carried out without notice violate the basic rights of citizens.

The situation quickly escalated when the police, acting on the directives of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, moved in to disperse the gathering. Jimoh had earlier issued a warning against any public demonstration regarding the demolitions, citing security concerns and the need to maintain public order. His directive reportedly included a specific instruction to prevent Sowore from leading any form of protest in the area.

As the officers released multiple rounds of teargas, protesters scattered in panic. Some residents, including elderly people and children, were seen running for cover. Videos shared on social media showed people coughing and gasping for breath while police trucks patrolled the area to ensure no regrouping took place. Sowore was later seen assisting others affected by the teargas, while vowing that the struggle for justice would continue despite the intimidation.

Sowore’s presence at the protest drew significant public attention, especially considering his recent legal battles with the Nigerian authorities. He was only recently released from Kuje Prison after meeting stringent bail conditions set by a Magistrate Court in Abuja. The bail followed his arrest alongside Nnamdi Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and eleven others during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in the Federal Capital Territory.

That protest, like the Oworonshoki one, was also dispersed by the police, leading to their arrest and subsequent arraignment before Magistrate Abubakar Umar Sai’id on charges of unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace. The court granted bail to each defendant in the sum of ₦500,000 with strict conditions, including the submission of verified National Identification Numbers, three-year tax clearance certificates, and international passports. After fulfilling these requirements, Sowore and the others regained their freedom.

The Oworonshoki protest has reignited discussions about the state of civil rights and freedom of assembly in Nigeria. Critics have accused the government of using force to silence dissenting voices, particularly when those voices challenge policies that affect vulnerable communities. Human rights advocates have also condemned the use of teargas against peaceful demonstrators, calling it a violation of democratic principles.

Community leaders in Oworonshoki are now demanding that the Lagos State Government engage directly with residents to address the demolition issue. Many of them insist that the government should have considered alternative relocation plans before executing the exercise. They also called for an immediate end to police aggression against citizens who choose to express their grievances through peaceful means.

As of press time, the Lagos State Police Command has yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident, although a senior officer confirmed that the deployment was to prevent a breakdown of law and order. Meanwhile, Sowore maintains that the actions of the police reflect a broader attempt to stifle legitimate protest and civic engagement in Nigeria. He vowed to continue supporting displaced residents and holding the authorities accountable for what he described as state-backed oppression.

The Oworonshoki teargas incident marks yet another confrontation between law enforcement agencies and citizens demanding accountability. While the government insists on maintaining order, activists argue that true order cannot exist without justice. The aftermath of the protest leaves unanswered questions about the balance between governance, human rights, and the voices of ordinary Nigerians struggling to be heard amid power and authority.