The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, on Monday, October 27, led the officers of the command to prevent any unlawful disruption on the Third Mainland Bridge.
The command had deployed its officers to the corridor following reports of a planned protest by youths from the Oworonshoki area of the state.
Reports emerged last week that the state government had embarked on a fresh demolition of buildings, a situation that was viewed as rendering more residents homeless.
This latest wave of demolitions was said to have struck residents in the Coker and Ojulari areas of Oworonshoki, eliciting the planned protest by the youth to block the Third Mainland Bridge.
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In a statement on Monday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said: “The Commissioner of Police is personally on the ground to supervise officers and ensure that peace and order are maintained across the state.
“While the Command remains committed to protecting the rights of all residents, no act of violence, road blockage, or violation of human rights will be tolerated.”
She assured that everywhere is calm and under control, urging that everyone is encouraged to go about their lawful daily activities peacefully and responsibly.
Adebisi added that the command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring the free flow of traffic across Lagos State.
Pinnacle Daily reports that the Oworonshoki demolition came barely three weeks after the state government was criticised for its demolition exercise at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex.
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In a statement on Sunday, October 26, a human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, accused the Lagos state government of demolishing at least 100 properties in Oworonsoki despite a restraining order from the court.
Justice Adegboyega Balogun of the Lagos State High Court had on last Thursday issued an interim order stopping further demolition of properties in parts of Oworonsoki, following complaints by affected residents who denied receiving any compensation.
According to the senior advocate, the recent demolition exercise has led many families to be displaced.
“In flagrant breach and contempt of the subsisting court order and upon the service of the court order on them, the defendants mobilised over 50 armed policemen and thugs who fired teargas throughout the night to disperse those protesting the demolition and proceeded to commence a fresh demolition.
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“The demolition, which was carried out in the dead of the night, has led to the destruction of not less than 100 properties, with many families displaced. The action of the demolition squad was not authorised by any court.
“The action of the demolished squad is a sad reminder of the aggravated contempt committed by the Lagos State Government, 39 years ago, in the celebrated case of The Military Governor of Lagos State & Ors. v. Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu & Anor. (1986) 2 NWLR (PT 18) 621, where the Supreme Court set a precedent against disregard for due process and the rule of law.
“Notwithstanding that the country was then under a military junta, the Supreme Court deprecated the action of the Lagos State Government in defying a court order and resorting to self-help,” he stated.
Alex is a business journalist cum data enthusiast with the Pinnacle Daily. He can be reached via ealex@thepinnacleng.com, @ehime_alex on X
