Lagos police chief accused of torture after anti-demolition protest
Two activists, Hassan Taiwo (also known as Soweto) and Zikora Ibeh, have accused the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, of assault and torture during anti-demolition protests. The protests involved residents from several Lagos communities demanding compensation and relocation after demolitions. The police allegedly used tear gas to disperse the crowd, with reports of injuries and excessive force. The Lagos State Police Command has denied firing gunshots during the protest.
What we know
- Hassan Taiwo and Zikora Ibeh allege that Jimoh Olohundare and his officers assaulted and tortured Taiwo during the protests.
- Protesters from communities like Makoko and Oworonshoki demanded justice, compensation, and relocation for those affected by demolitions.
- Tear gas was reportedly used by police, affecting protesters, journalists, and a nursing mother; one protester sustained a leg injury.
- After the protest, Soweto and Dele Frank were arraigned at Yaba Chief Magistrate’s Court and granted bail, with their case adjourned to March 3, 2026.
- Ibeh claims Soweto was denied access to legal counsel and family, subjected to further beatings, and referenced as a target for brutality due to his activism on January 15, 2026.
