The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that violent protesters who unlawfully blocked Awolowo Way to the House of Assembly Road for over six hours were dispersed with minimal force, following disruptions that threatened public safety and order. The blockade caused significant inconvenience to residents, preventing access for medical emergencies and daily commuters.
According to the Police, the protesters, who had gathered at the Ikeja Under Bridge, carried a coffin and instigated public disturbance, obstructing the passage of road users and creating chaos along Awolowo Road down to Alausa. “Reports of sick people fainting in their cars were recorded, trauma and panic were created in the whole of Alausa and Ikeja area,” the statement said.
The Police detachment intervened promptly to ensure law and order while exercising restraint in the face of violent confrontation. On reaching the Lagos State House of Assembly, officers prevented protesters from breaching the gate and attacking the premises. Despite five Honourable Members engaging with the protesters and urging a peaceful resolution, the group continued to block the highway.
Police Disperse Violent Protest, Arrest Leaders
At that point, the Police had no option but to use minimal force, including teargas, to disperse the crowd. The authorities noted that “no death or injury to the protesters was recorded because of the use of minimum force.” Road access was restored shortly after, allowing normal traffic to resume.
Two protest leaders, Taiwo Hassan, nicknamed ‘Soweto,’ and Dele Frank, were arrested for alleged conspiracy, incitement to violence, obstruction of traffic, and other offenses under Lagos State Criminal Law. Police also recovered a white Toyota Canta with loudspeakers and generator sets used to block the highway, as well as the coffin carried by the protesters to intimidate the public.
The Lagos State Police Command emphasized that their actions were in line with the law, aimed at protecting public safety. “The right to protest and freedom of expression is one of the essentials of democracy,” the statement read, “but it should be done in a peaceful manner without causing undue hardship on the general public and other innocent Lagosians.”
Investigations into the criminal roles of the two leaders are ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, and they will be charged to court upon completion of the process.
SP Abimbola Adebisi, Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command, reiterated that “nobody would be allowed to take the law into their hands and cause disturbance of public peace, public safety, or any act that can jeopardize the protection of lives and property of all citizens in the State.”
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