RismadarVoice Reporters, January 29, 2026
The Lagos State Police Command has denied allegations that its officers shot at protesters during a demonstration against the demolition of homes in parts of the state, insisting that no firearm was discharged during the protest.
Residents from communities including Makoko, Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin, and Oko Baba had marched to the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, on Wednesday to demand proper relocation plans, compensation, and justice over previous demolition exercises.
The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as “A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor” and “Justice for Owode-Onirin traders,” calling on the government to address their grievances.
Tension reportedly escalated when demonstrators were denied entry into the Assembly complex.
According to reports, teargas was used to disperse the crowd, affecting several people, including journalists and a nursing mother, while one protester sustained a leg injury.
A photograph of an injured protester being assisted to a hospital later circulated on social media, triggering claims that the individual had been shot.
Reacting to the reports, Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare said on Thursday that no gun was fired during the operation.
“No gun was fired. I was there,” Olohundare said. “I appealed to them to remain peaceful, but they continued to hurl abuses. As a police officer, I am trained to work under such pressure, so I did not react.”
He said the police adopted a peaceful approach and engaged the leadership of the Lagos State House of Assembly, which reportedly sent five lawmakers despite being on recess to appeal to the protesters.
According to the Police Commissioner, reports of gunshot injuries were investigated and found to be unfounded.
“The injury was inspected by the area commander and it was not caused by a bullet,” he said, adding that injuries could have occurred as people fled following the deployment of teargas.
Olohundare confirmed that teargas was used after warnings were issued, noting that no gunshot injury was officially reported to the police during or after the operation.
