SECRA Condemns Police Brutality Against Peaceful Protesters in Lagos

…Calls for independent Probe

The Social-Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy (SECRA) has condemned what it described as the violent clampdown on peaceful protesters in Lagos State, calling for an independent and transparent investigation into allegations of police brutality.

SECRA, in a statement issued on Friday, January 30, 2026, by its Executive Director, Comrade Olowu Aiyedun, said the protesters were lawfully exercising their constitutional rights in opposition to alleged illegal demolitions, forcible evictions and land grabbing in Makoko, Oworonsoki and other affected communities across Lagos State.

According to Aiyedun, the reported use of force against unarmed citizens was a direct violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and international human rights instruments.

Aiyedun expressed deep concern over allegations made by activist and protest leader, Comrade Hassan Taiwo (Soweto), that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, personally led a brutal assault on demonstrators at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa.

“If these allegations are even remotely true, they represent a shocking descent into state-sanctioned repression, a gross abuse of office, and a direct assault on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental human rights,” he said.

He condemned the reported brutalisation, arrest and arraignment of Comrade Soweto and other activists, as well as alleged attempts to re-arrest them after being granted bail.

Aiyedun said, ”In line with our mandate we unequivocally condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the violent clampdown on peaceful protesters in Lagos State who were lawfully exercising their constitutional rights against alleged illegal demolitions, forcible evictions and land grabbing in Makoko, Oworonsoki and other affected communities in Lagos state Nigeria .

“We are deeply alarmed by the grave allegations made by activist and protest leader, Comrade Hassan Taiwo (Soweto), that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Moshood Jimoh, personally led a brutal assault on peaceful demonstrators at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa.

“Peaceful protest is not a crime. Advocacy against forced evictions and land grabbing is not treason. The Nigerian Constitution guarantees the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and no police authority has the power to trample on these rights with impunity.

“We find it particularly disturbing that senior police officers, entrusted with the responsibility of protecting lives and upholding the law, are being accused of personally supervising acts of violence, humiliation and repression against unarmed citizens. This, if unchecked, sets a dangerous precedent and further erodes public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.

“SECRA therefore demands the following from the Police Service Commission:An immediate, independent and transparent investigation into the alleged assault, brutalisation and unlawful arrest of peaceful protesters, including the specific allegations against CP Moshood Jimoh.

“The suspension of all officers implicated in the incident, pending the outcome of the investigation. An end to the criminalisation of peaceful protests and the use of police force to protect illegality, land grabbing and human rights violations. Full accountability and prosecution of any officer found culpable, regardless of rank or position.

We warn that the continued use of violence “and intimidation against civil society actors will only deepen public anger and mistrust, and further expose the fragility of democratic governance in Nigeria.

“We stand in firm solidarity with Comrade Hassan Taiwo, Dele Frank, affected communities in Lagos, and all Nigerians who continue to resist forced evictions, land grabbing and state repression. No democracy can survive where the police become instruments of fear rather than protectors of the people

The struggle for justice, dignity and the protection of the poor and vulnerable cannot and will not be silenced,” he said.