The Lagos State Police Command has restored normalcy following a violent protest that blocked Awolowo Way leading to the Lagos State House of Assembly, causing significant disruption to public peace, traffic flow, and access to essential services on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the protest, which began at the Ikeja Under Bridge, saw demonstrators carrying a coffin and obstructing the road for over six hours.
The blockade affected medical emergencies, delayed commuters traveling to the airport, and created panic among residents in Alausa and Ikeja.
The police said that while five lawmakers from the Lagos State House of Assembly attempted to engage the protesters and encourage peaceful dialogue, the group, led by Taiwo Hassan, also known as “Soweto,” refused to cooperate and ordered participants to sit on the public highway, further obstructing road users.
To restore order, the police deployed minimum force, including teargas, successfully dispersing the protesters and reopening the road. No injuries or deaths were recorded during the intervention.
Two adults, Taiwo Hassan and Dele Frank, were arrested at the scene for alleged conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, incitement, obstruction of traffic, and other offenses under the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
Authorities also recovered a white Toyota Canta vehicle (Lagos LND 968 YL) equipped with loudspeakers and generators used during the protest, along with the coffin carried by the demonstrators.
The Lagos State Police Command reaffirmed that the measures taken were lawful and necessary to protect public safety and order. SP Adebisi emphasized that while the right to protest is a cornerstone of democracy, it must be exercised peacefully without infringing on the rights of other citizens.
Investigations into the roles of the protest leaders are ongoing at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, with charges expected upon completion.