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Makoko Protest: Lagos Assembly Denies Reports of Lawmakers’ Complicity, Use of Live Ammunition
The Lagos State House of Assembly has dismissed as misleading and inaccurate reports alleging that lawmakers watched as police dispersed Makoko anti-demolition protesters with teargas and live ammunition at the Assembly complex.
The statement was signed by Hon. Ogundipe Stephen Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Assembly expressed concern over a publication titled “Police teargas Makoko anti-demolition protesters at Lagos Assembly, arrest activist Hassan Soweto, others”, describing it as containing distortions and unverified claims capable of inflaming public tension.
The House clarified that it was officially on recess at the time of the incident, countering suggestions that lawmakers ignored the protest.
It stated that upon receiving information about the gathering at the Assembly gate, Ogundipe mobilised four lawmakers who were within the complex to engage the protesters.
According to the statement, the lawmakers informed the protesters that the Assembly was on recess, offered to engage them peacefully at the gate, and assured them that their grievances would be documented and escalated through appropriate channels.
However, the protesters allegedly rejected dialogue at the gate and insisted on gaining access into the Assembly complex, contrary to established security protocols.
The Assembly further alleged that the situation escalated due to unruly conduct by an activist identified as Taiwo Hassan, also known as Hassan Soweto, who was said to have become verbally abusive and confrontational during the engagement.
The statement accused the activist of directing inflammatory and defamatory remarks at lawmakers and the Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh including unsubstantiated allegations of murder.
It stressed that the security response was purely preventive and not directed by the legislature.
“At no point did the Lagos State House of Assembly order the deployment of teargas, authorise arrests, or direct any use of force against protesters,” the statement said, adding that lawmakers withdrew from the gate on the advice of the Commissioner of Police to prevent escalation.
The Assembly also debunked claims that live ammunition was used, describing them as false and sensational, and stated that no credible evidence had been presented to support such allegations.
On the issue of Makoko demolitions, the House noted that matters relating to infrastructure safety, power-line setbacks and demolitions fall under executive and regulatory authorities.
It reiterated its commitment to dialogue, humane engagement and lawful processes in addressing urban development challenges, explaining that assurances given during an earlier engagement on January 15 did not amount to a blanket suspension of demolitions.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful civic engagement and the protection of democratic rights, while warning that intimidation, misinformation and attempts to breach secured government facilities cannot be justified as protest.
It urged civil society organisations and the media to exercise restraint and accuracy, and called on all stakeholders to embrace dialogue over confrontation.
Full Statement:
Press Release/Official Rejoinder
Lagos State House of Assembly Rebuts Misleading Reports Makoko Protest Incident
The Lagos State House of Assembly has noted with concern a publication titled “Police teargas Makoko anti-demolition protesters at Lagos Assembly, arrest activist Hassan Soweto, others”, credited to Ishaya Ibrahim, which contains several inaccuracies, distortions, and unverified allegations capable of misleading the public and inflaming tensions.
This rejoinder is issued to set the record straight in the interest of truth, public order, and responsible journalism.
ASSEMBLY WAS ON RECESS; PROTESTERS WERE STILL ENGAGED*
Contrary to insinuations that lawmakers “watched” or ignored the situation, it must be clearly stated that the Lagos State House of Assembly was officially on recess at the time of the incident.
Notwithstanding this, upon receiving information about the gathering at the Assembly gate, Hon. (Otunba) Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, mobilised four other Honourable Members who were present within the complex to engage the protesters in good faith.
This action alone demonstrates the Assembly’s openness to dialogue and commitment to democratic engagement, even outside plenary sitting periods.
PROTESTERS REJECTED DIALOGUE AND INSISTED ON FORCIBLE ACCESS
Upon arrival at the main gate of the Assembly complex, the Honourable Members clearly informed the protesters that:
The Assembly was on recess;
Engagement could be held peacefully at the gate;
Their grievances would be duly documented and escalated appropriately.
However, the protesters flatly rejected dialogue at the gate and insisted on gaining access into the Assembly complex, in clear violation of established security protocols governing legislative premises.
UNRULY CONDUCT AND VERBAL ABUSE ESCALATED THE SITUATION
During the engagement, the individual who identified himself as Taiwo Hassan (alias Hassan Soweto) became openly confrontational and verbally abusive.
He directed uncouth, defamatory, and inflammatory language at Honourable Members present; The Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood, who was physically on ground solely to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
The activist went as far as publicly accusing the Commissioner of murder, alleging his “hands and mouth were full of blood,” statements that are grave, reckless, and unsupported by evidence.
At a point, he openly challenged an Honourable Member, Hon. Tobun, to “prove his comradeship,” and arrogantly ordered him to “shut up” if he had nothing “good” to say.
Such conduct was hostile, provocative, and inconsistent with peaceful protest.
SECURITY RESPONSE WAS PREVENTIVE, NOT LEGISLATIVE
As the crowd became increasingly unruly and attempts were made to force entry into the Assembly premises, security operatives acted strictly within their constitutional responsibility to secure lives, property, and critical government infrastructure.
At no point did the Lagos State House of Assembly:
Order the deployment of teargas;
Authorise arrests;
Direct any use of force against protesters.
The decision for Honourable Members to withdraw from the gate was taken on the advice of the Commissioner of Police to prevent physical confrontation and escalation.
*FALSE CLAIMS OF “LIVE AMMUNITION” AND LAWMAKERS’ COMPLICITY*
The claim that “lawmakers watched as police unleashed teargas and live ammunition” is false, sensational, and unsupported.
No Honourable Member witnessed or sanctioned the use of live ammunition, and no credible evidence has been presented to substantiate such a grave allegation.
The Lagos State House of Assembly categorically dissociates itself from any attempt to falsely attribute security decisions to the legislature.
*ON MAKOKO DEMOLITIONS AND LEGISLATIVE POSITION*
The House reiterates that:
Issues relating to infrastructure safety, power-line setbacks, and demolitions fall under executive and regulatory authorities;
The Assembly has consistently advocated dialogue, humane engagement, and lawful processes in addressing urban development challenges.
The assurances previously given during the January 15 engagement were not a blanket suspension directive, but a commitment to intervention through appropriate legislative channels, which cannot occur during recess without due process.
*CONCLUSION*
The Lagos State House of Assembly remains committed to:
Peaceful civic engagement;
Protection of democratic rights;
Orderly and respectful dialogue as the only sustainable path to conflict resolution.
However, intimidation, verbal abuse, misinformation, and attempts to breach secured government facilities cannot be justified under the guise of protest.
The Assembly urges civil society organisations and the media to exercise restraint, accuracy, and responsibility, and calls on all stakeholders to embrace dialogue over confrontation.
E-Signed
Hon. (Otunba) Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy & Security
Lagos State House of Assembly
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