The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights on Monday called for an independent investigation into the killing of six Owode traders and other deaths allegedly linked to demolitions across Lagos State.
The demand was made during a press conference organised by the group to address what it described as the mishandling of the alleged killings and the continued neglect of the bereaved families and traders in the area.
Recall that in August last year, six persons were reportedly shot dead by suspected police officers at Owode Onirin Market during a protest following accusations of unlawful demolition and land grabbing.
A PUNCH Metro report at the time identified some of the victims as Wale Adebayo, Akinboye Oluwaseyi, Taiye Adeoye, Mufutau Salaudeen and Idowu Abraham.
Following protests and renewed calls for justice, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, had reassured traders at the Owode Onirin Spare Parts Market of his commitment to ensuring justice over the demolition of their shops, allegedly carried out by a suspected land grabber.
However, speaking at the press conference on Monday, the President of CHSR, Alex Omotehinse, cautioned against what he described as the “criminalisation of peaceful protest” by the police and attempts to distort facts surrounding alleged illegal demolitions, forced evictions and killings across the state.
Omotehinse said the organisation was compelled to speak out “in the interest of justice, accountability and the protection of civic space,” stressing that CHSR remained committed to defending fundamental human and socio-economic rights in Nigeria.
The group also condemned alleged intimidation, coercion and manipulation aimed at isolating Owode Onirin traders from other communities affected by demolitions, who recently staged a mass protest across Lagos.
“These six young Nigerians were not statistics. They were sons, breadwinners, and victims of a brutal alliance between state actors, land grabbers, armed thugs and compromised security operatives,” the organisation said.
It warned that “when the police descend into propaganda and intimidation, they erode public trust and push society closer to chaos.”
CHSR demanded “an independent investigation into the killing of the six Owode traders and other deaths linked to demolitions across Lagos State”, as well as the prosecution of “all individuals and accomplices involved in the killings.”
The group also called for “an end to police interference in lawful protests and civic coalitions” and demanded “justice, compensation and restoration for all affected communities.”
“History is watching. The victims are watching. Nigerians are watching. The whole world is watching,” the organisation added.
PUNCH Metro reports that accusations of demolitions allegedly linked to land grabbing have continued to trail the Lagos State Government.
The most recent demolition exercise in Makoko has drawn widespread criticism, with the government accused of destroying years of residents’ investments without providing acceptable alternatives.
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