- Safiu Kehinde
Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have tear-gassed residents protesting over alleged land grabbing and forceful eviction by the state government, leaving many injured.
NPO earlier Reported that the protesters had on Wednesday taken to express their displeasure and frustration of the state government’s demolition of the residence.
The protest which started on a peaceful note with the Police seen accompanying the protesters would quickly escalate on their arrival at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja.
A clash between the protesters and the police tend to have led to the discharge of tear gas cannisters which dispersed the crowd.
Videos shared on X by Punch showed the protesters for safety as the thick white gas from the cannisters filled the air.
Amid the pandemonium, a middle-aged man was captured lying the roadside with blood gushing out of his injured leg.
Sitting beside him was another woman crying for help as she clasped both hands and her tear-gassed eyes.
The clip further captured moment a puff puff snacks seller was toppled over by the surging crowd as the glass compartment containing his snacks shattered on the road.
Recall that the Lagos state government had last year embarked on series of demolition exercise in several parts of the state, especially the Oworonshoki and Makoko areas of the state where scores of houses were pulled down.
This was met with agitations by members of the community.
They initially staged a protest along Third Mainland bridge, obstructing traffic flow before being forcefully dispersed by police operatives.