CITIZENS COMPASS— The Coalition Against Corruption and Bad Governance (CACOBAG) in conjunction with the Campaign for Constitutionalism and Human Rights (CCHR), on Thursday, called for the immediate release of the spokesperson of #EndBadGovernance Movement in Lagos, Comrade Hassan Taiwo Soweto, alongside others who were arrested during a peaceful protest in Lagos State.
Soweto alongside some other protesters were arrested for protesting the unjust demolition of houses and forceful eviction of the masses in Makoko, Oworonshoki and Owode Onirin areas of the state.
The peaceful protesters were arrested at the entrance of the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, Ikeja yesterday.
The protesters were arrested after the operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command fired canisters to disperse them.
Soweto is a leading member of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM).
Citizens Compass reported that Thousands of residents, particularly traders and masses have been evicted following demolition exercises in Oworonshoki, Owode-Onirin and Makoko.
A statement jointly signed by CACOBAG Chairman, Comrades Toyin Raheem, and Idowu Taiwo, on behalf of CCHR, condemned the arrest calling on the Nigeria Police Force to release the peaceful protesters.
According to the statement: It is shocking , disturbing and embarrassing that the Nigeria Force would deliberately refuse to comply with the best Police practice in the developed and democratic countries of the world.
A peaceful protest is the right of all Nigerians and needs no permission from anyone. Police are only to protect protesters and prevent the protest from being hijacked.
It is unfortunate that a government that could not provide shelter for the people is still embarking on illegal demolition of people’s homes without compensation and provision of alternative accommodation. What an absurdity !
Victims of illegal demolition, being law abiding citizens decided to embark on a peaceful protest in conjunction with civil society organisations including CACOBAG and CCHR which actively
participated in the protest instead of taking law into their hands.
The Police shall be held responsible for any casualty as a result of tear gas fired at the protesters without any form of provocation.
Arrest of Hassan Soweto, Co- ordinator of Education Rights Campaign (ERC), an organisation fighting for the rights of all children to qualitative and free education at all levels for all children including children of the Police and also a prominent member of Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM), a major organisation in the struggle for Police improved welfare.
Soweto and others have committed no offence , hence their unlawful arrest and detention since Wednesday 28th January, 2026 is an infringement of their rights and an offence against humanity.
It is worrisome that Lagos State House of Assembly members, which are the beneficiaries of protests that made democracy possible could call on Police to disperse the protesters and did nothing when they were arrested other than debunking actions of the Police which confirms their pleasure with the way the protesters were molested by the police.
We demand immediate release of Hassan Soweto and all protesters unlawfully detained, otherwise we shall not hesitate to mobilise all Lagosians for another round of protests all over the state.
Hassan Taiwo Soweto and others should be released NOW.
