Soweto vows to continue Lagos demolition protests despite police arrests

Taiwo Hassan, the activist popularly known as Soweto, has pledged that the coalition protesting forced evictions in Lagos will not be deterred by police intimidation. Following his arrest during a demonstration at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Soweto insisted that the movement remains focused on securing justice for displaced residents.

The protest turned chaotic on Wednesday when police officers deployed tear gas to disperse the crowd, leading to the arrest of Soweto and fellow activist Dele Frank. After spending a night in custody, both men were arraigned at a Magistrate’s Court in Yaba on Thursday to face a five-count charge.

Magistrate A.I.O. Alaka granted the defendants bail set at ₦200,000 each, requiring two responsible sureties per person. The charges brought against them include conspiracy, breach of peace, obstruction of traffic, and allegedly singing abusive songs directed at the police and the Lagos State Government.

Upon his release, Soweto shared a harrowing account of his time in detention, alleging that he was blindfolded and subjected to physical assault by officers. He claimed he was beaten before being transported to the Panti police station, an ordeal he described as an attempt to silence the group’s advocacy.

Despite the alleged brutality, the activist remained firm in his commitment to the communities of Makoko and Oworonshoki. “We will not relent. What matters most is that the needs of residents in Makoko, Oworonshoki, and other affected areas are addressed. We demand an immediate halt to demolitions and fair compensation for victims,” he said.

Human rights advocates have stepped forward to condemn the police action, labeling it a heavy-handed response to peaceful assembly. Leaders from the Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights and Voice of the Masses warned that such tactics represent a dangerous shrinking of civic space and democratic freedoms in Nigeria.

The coalition maintains that its activism will persist until the Lagos State Government addresses the grievances of those lost to recent displacements. As the legal process begins, the group continues to call for an end to the destruction of homes and the provision of fair reparations for affected families.