Activist Soweto Starts Spinal Remedy After Alleged Police Attack During Lagos Eviction Protest

Update: This report details the ongoing situation surrounding Lagos-based activist Hassan Soweto, who has commenced intensive physiotherapy for a diagnosed spinal injury. The injury is alleged to have been sustained during his arrest by police at a protest against forced evictions on January 28, 2026. The case highlights ongoing tensions between urban development policies and the rights of low-income communities in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Introduction: A Protester’s Injury and a City’s Dilemma

The struggle for housing rights in Lagos has taken a visceral turn with the physical injury of a prominent activist. Hassan Soweto, a well-known figure in campaigns against forced evictions, is now undergoing weeks of physiotherapy for damage to his lower spine. He attributes this injury directly to an assault by officers of the Lagos State Police Command during a peaceful protest on January 28, 2026. This incident transcends a singular claim of police brutality; it is a flashpoint in a long-standing conflict over the future of informal settlements like Makoko, raising critical questions about protest rights, state power, and the human cost of urban “development.” This article provides a comprehensive, fact-based examination of the event, its context, and its implications.

Key Points: Summary of the Incident and Aftermath

• Alleged Assault: Activist Hassan Soweto claims he was violently arrested by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Moshood, and his team during a protest on January 28, 2026.
• Medical Diagnosis: An MRI scan reportedly confirmed vital damage to his lower spine, necessitating a multi-week physiotherapy regimen.
• Protest Cause: The demonstration demanded an end to demolitions, forced evictions, and alleged land-grabbing in Makoko and other low-income Lagos communities (Oworonshoki, Owode Onirin, Ajegunle, Bariga).
• Police Action: Soweto alleges police fired tear gas into a crowd of peaceful protesters and conducted mass arrests.
• Other Injuries: At least two other protesters were reportedly hospitalized at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).
• Legal Charges: Soweto and fellow activist Dele Frank were charged with offenses including “conduct likely to cause a breach of the public peace” and “singing abusive songs against the police and the Lagos State government.”
• Activist’s Stance: Despite his injury, Soweto vows to recover to “continue to lead the struggle from the front,” framing the conflict as “A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor.”
• Immediate Political Impact: The Lagos State Government has reportedly paused demolition activities in Makoko and initiated negotiations with community representatives on resettlement and compensation.
• Police Response: As of the publication of this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued a public statement addressing the specific allegations of assault.

Background: The Makoko Eviction Crisis and Lagos’ Urban Challenge

What is Makoko?

Makoko is a sprawling, historic waterfront community in Lagos, often described as one of Africa’s largest informal settlements. Home to an estimated 300,000+ residents, it is a labyrinth of stilt houses and dense neighborhoods built on reclaimed land and water. For decades, it has existed in a state of legal limbo, with authorities often labeling it an “illegal settlement” obstructing coastal development and urban modernization plans.

The History of Forced Evictions in Lagos

Forced evictions are not a new phenomenon in Lagos. Under various state administrations, communities like Ibeju-Lekki, Badia East, and Otodo-Gbame have faced demolition orders, often with minimal notice and inadequate compensation. These actions are typically justified by the government as necessary for infrastructure projects, urban renewal, or to combat “urban blight.” Critics, including international human rights bodies, argue they violate constitutional and international law protections against forced displacement and disproportionately impact the poorest residents, exacerbating homelessness and poverty without providing viable alternatives.

The January 28, 2026 Protest: Catalyst for Conflict

The protest Soweto was leading was a coordinated response to renewed eviction threats across multiple communities. Organizers, including civil society groups and community leaders, framed the march to the Lagos State House of Assembly as a peaceful exercise of the right to assembly and petition. The decision to target the House of Assembly signaled a direct appeal to the state legislature to intervene against what activists call “unlawful” executive actions by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development and the police who enforce evictions.

Analysis: Deconstructing the Claims and Implications

Examining the Allegation of Police Assault

The core of Soweto’s allegation is a specific, violent physical assault by the head of the state police command. If proven, this would represent a severe breach of police conduct rules and potentially a criminal act. The evidence cited—a medical MRI showing spinal damage—is a critical piece of corroborating physical evidence. However, establishing a direct causal link between the injury and the specific actions of Commissioner Moshood on that day would require a thorough, independent investigation, including medical testimony and potentially eyewitness accounts from other officers or protesters. The lack of a police response to date is notable but not uncommon in the early stages of such controversies.

The Pattern of Protest Policing in Nigeria

This incident fits into a broader, documented pattern where Nigerian security forces, particularly the police, have been accused of using excessive force to disperse protests, especially those critical of government policies. The alleged use of tear gas against a “peaceful” crowd and the mass arrests are common tactics that human rights groups frequently contest as disproportionate and intimidating. The charges of “singing abusive songs” are particularly revealing, as they criminalize symbolic speech and protest culture, a tactic used to delegitimize dissent.

The “Development vs. Rights” Paradigm

Soweto’s declaration, “A megacity cannot be built on the bones and blood of the poor,” crystallizes the central ideological clash. The Lagos state government’s development agenda prioritizes creating a “megacity” competitive on a global stage, which often involves clearing informal settlements deemed impediments to investment. Activists counter that this model is unjust and unsustainable, violating the right to adequate housing and displacing the very workers who build and service the city. The pause in Makoko demolitions following the protest suggests the activist strategy of causing disruptive, high-profile dissent may have achieved a short-term tactical victory, forcing the government to the negotiating table.

Legal and Human Rights Fram