The Lagos State House of Assembly has rejected reports that lawmakers ignored or approved the use of force during a protest by Makoko residents at the Assembly complex.
In a statement, the Assembly said the report claiming police teargassed protesters and arrested activist Hassan Soweto was “misleading” and contained “inaccuracies, distortions, and unverified allegations.”
The Assembly said it was officially on recess when the protest happened.
It added that the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Stephen Ogundipe, led four lawmakers to the gate to speak with protesters.
“This action alone demonstrates the Assembly’s openness to dialogue and commitment to democratic engagement,” the statement said.
According to the Assembly, the lawmakers told protesters the House was on recess, offered to engage them peacefully at the gate, and promised to document their complaints.
However, it said protesters rejected the offer and “insisted on gaining access into the Assembly complex,” violating security rules.
The statement accused Hassan Soweto of becoming “openly confrontational and verbally abusive,” including making “grave, reckless, and unsupported” accusations against the Lagos police commissioner.
The Assembly said security actions were taken by the police, not lawmakers.
“At no point did the Lagos State House of Assembly order the deployment of teargas, authorise arrests, or direct any use of force,” it said.
It also denied claims that live ammunition was used, calling them “false, sensational, and unsupported.”
On Makoko demolitions, the Assembly said such matters fall under the executive, but added it supports “dialogue, humane engagement, and lawful processes.”
The House urged the media and civil society to report accurately and called for “dialogue over confrontation.”
