Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, Lagos State Command on Wednesday fired teargas at protesters during a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly complex in Alausa, Ikeja, where demonstrators protested against the demolition and forced eviction of residents of Makoko community and other communities across the state.

The protesters, drawn from several affected communities, had gathered at the assembly complex to demand an immediate halt to the destruction of homes and the displacement of residents.

They marched to the Lagos State Government Secretariat to press their grievances before lawmakers and the state government.

Witnesses said the firing of tear gas caused panic around the area, sending demonstrators, nearby residents, traders, and commuters running for safety.

Vehicular and pedestrian movement around the complex was disrupted as people fled to avoid the choking fumes.

As of the time of filing this report, security personnel remained stationed at the scene, while the protest had been broken up.

Among those affected was Opeyemi Lawal, a reporter with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), who was covering the protest.

Lawal said police officers fired tear gas at both protesters and observers.

“The police are tear-gassing us at Alausa. I can’t breathe,” she said, adding that several people collapsed after inhaling the gas.

“Many people passed out. I also passed out at some point because I couldn’t breathe,” she added.

Lawal further alleged that police officers attempted to arrest her while carrying out her duties.

“They arrested some protesters,” she said. “They also tried to arrest me, but when I showed them my ID card, they left me and picked others.”

Residents from Oworonshoki, Makoko, Sogunro, Otumara, Ayetoro, Owode Onirin, Ajegunle and Bariga participated in the protest, condemning recent demolition exercises carried out by the Lagos State Government in their communities.

The protesters carried a symbolic coffin, which they said was meant to be delivered to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to dramatise their opposition to forced evictions.

The protest began at Ikeja Underbridge before the crowd marched to the Government Secretariat in Alausa.

Lawal said some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly later came out to address the protesters.

“The protest was peaceful all through,” she said, adding that a spokesperson for the group, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, requested that the protesters be allowed to meet directly with the governor and other top officials.

However, the lawmakers declined the request; instead, the lawmakers watched as police unleashed teargas and live ammunition on unarmed protesters, including women, who were asking to speak to their representatives.

Soweto, who is the spokesperson for the #EndBadGovernance Movement in Lagos, was also violently arrested by the police and dragged into the State House of Assembly, while police officers continued to fire teargas and shot at hundreds of women and unarmed protesters.

Shortly after, around 1:20 p.m., police were still firing tear gas and shooting at the crowd, causing the protesters to disperse and resulting in several arrests and injuries.

Elderly people from Makoko were also arrested by police officers in front of the State House of Assembly.

A woman identified as Kafayat Muftaudeen from the Oworonshoki Community was tear-gassed and injured.

She is currently at Lagoon Hospital, Ikeja, where she is being prepared to be transferred to Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, for plastic surgery.