Police Assure Lagos Residents Security Amid Planned Demolition Protest

File picture of Third Mainland Bridge | Credit: thenewsnigeria

The Lagos State Police Command has reassured residents of their safety following reports of a planned disruption on the Third Mainland Bridge by protesting youths from the Oworonshoki area. In a statement issued on Monday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, the command emphasized that it had made adequate security arrangements to maintain peace and order throughout the state. The statement further noted that the police were fully aware of circulating information suggesting a possible protest, and assured Lagosians that law enforcement officers were on high alert to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

According to reports, the renewed tension comes in the wake of another round of demolitions in the Oworonshoki community, particularly in the Coker and Ojulari areas. The demolition, which reportedly occurred around midnight on Saturday, followed the state government’s announcement that approximately 80 affected property owners had already received compensation. Despite this, many residents expressed frustration and distress as bulldozers, escorted by armed security personnel, entered the community under the cover of darkness to demolish remaining structures.

Eyewitnesses recounted scenes of confusion and despair as families watched their homes being pulled down. Many residents claimed that they were not adequately informed prior to the latest exercise, leading to panic and outrage within the community. The midnight operation also heightened tension, with some locals alleging that the demolition teams targeted structures that had been previously spared during earlier phases of the exercise. The move has since sparked debates about the government’s approach to urban renewal and its impact on low-income communities..

It will be recalled that a previous demolition exercise carried out by officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency had triggered widespread protests in the area. Angry residents had stormed parts of the Third Mainland Bridge, blocking traffic outward Lagos while chanting solidarity songs and displaying placards with inscriptions such as “Stop demolishing our houses,” “Give us back our lands,” and “This is not democracy.” The protests disrupted movement for several hours and drew attention to the plight of displaced residents.

Normalcy was eventually restored after the intervention of police operatives, who were deployed to disperse the crowd and reopen the bridge to traffic. However, witnesses alleged that tear gas was used to break up the protesters, a claim that further deepened public outrage. The recent developments in Oworonshoki underscore the growing tension between the state government’s urban development policies and the socio-economic realities faced by affected residents. While the police continue to assure the public of safety, many are calling for more humane approaches to urban renewal and better communication between government authorities and local communities.